Summary
reversing and remanding for a new trial on proper, lesser charge
Summary of this case from State v. TackettOpinion
Opinion filed March 9, 1951.
1. CRIMINAL LAW.
Where indictment charged accused parties with misdemeanor under statute which provides for punishment by fine and discretionary time of confinement for violation of statute of thirty days to six months, and jury assessed punishment of not more than three years, the verdict and judgment thereon were nullities, and the Supreme Court could only reverse and remand the case (Code, secs. 6648.17 (2a), 6648.18).
2. CRIMINAL LAW.
In absence of any charge in indictment of illegal transportation of unstamped liquor, defendants could not be convicted on such a charge, even though evidence established that offense (Code, secs. 6648.17 (2a), 6648.18, 6648.33).
3. INDICTMENT AND INFORMATION.
An indictment which omits the allegation essential to constitute a felony under a statute does not charge a felony (Code, sec. 6648.33).
FROM SHELBY.HARRY U. SCRUGGS and A.E. WEINSTEIN, both of Memphis, WLLIAMS, CUMMINGS WEST, ALBERT WILLIAMS and HUGH C. HOWSER, all of Nashville, for appellants.
KNOX BIGHAM, Assistant Attorney General, for the State.
Francis Edward Shook and William H. Seate were convicted in the Criminal Court, Shelby County, SAM D. CAMPBELL, Judge, for transporting more than three gallons of alcoholic beverages without posting a bond, and they brought error. The Supreme Court, PREWITT, Justice, held that an assessment of punishment in excess of the maximum prescribed by statute nullified the verdict and judgment.
Judgment reversed and case remanded.
The Assistant Attorney General has expressed the opinion that the indictment in the above case does not charge the felony denounced by Chapter 182, Section 1, Public Acts of 1947, this Act being found in Volume 7, Pocket Supplement and Numbered Section 6648.33. He states the indictment charges the misdemeanor codified as Section 6648.17(2a) et seq., and which provides for punishment, Code Section 6648.18, by a fine of from $25 to $500, and discretionary time in addition of from thirty days to six months.
The conviction was for transporting more than three gallons of alcoholic beverages without having posted a bond with the Commissioner of Finance and Taxation and punishment fixed at confinement in the penitentiary for a period of not more than three years. This verdict and the judgment thereon, as stated by the Assistant Attorney General, are void because the sentence imposed is in excess of the maximum prescribed by statute. When a jury assesses punishment in excess of the maximum prescribed by statute, such verdict and the judgment thereon are nullities, and the Supreme Court can only reverse and remand. McDougal v. State, 64 Tenn. 660; Fitts v. State, 102 Tenn. 141, 50 S.W. 756; Bowmer v. State, 157 Tenn. 124, 6 S.W.2d 326.
The proof in the case showed the defendants to be guilty of committing the offense charged in the indictment and also guilty of transporting more than three gallons of unstamped alcoholic beverages. The offense of transporting unstamped alcholic beverages was denounced by Chapter 182, Public Acts of 1947 and declared to be a felony with a minimum punishment of not less than two years imprisonment in the penitentiary. However, the indictment does not charge a violation of Chapter 182, Public Acts of 1947.
An accused cannot be convicted of an offense not charged in the indictment. Holbert v. State, 178 Tenn. 80, 156 S.W.2d 388.
An indictment which omits the allegation essential to constitute a felony under the statute, does not charge a felony. Ellis v. State, 160 Tenn. 530, 26 S.W.2d 151.
Without expressing an opinion on the merits of the case, it is necessary that the judgment of the lower court be reversed and the case remanded for a new trial.
All concur.