Lakes v. Commonwealth , 197 Ky. 287 ( 1923 )

Opinion op the Court by

Chief Justice Sampson—

Reversing.

Appellant Lakes and several other persons were jointly indicted in the Jackson circuit court for the offense of gaming by playing at cards. The indictment stood for trial at the August term, 1922. ' When the deputy sheriff arrested appellant Lakes on a bench warrant he allowed him to execute bond for his appearance to answer the charge in the Jackson circuit court. The bond, which is made a part of the record, does not fix the date upon which appellant was required to appear. The deputy sheriff informed appellant that his ease would be assigned for the fifth day of the approaching August term,- and appellant having no other information upon the subject relied upon the statement of the deputy sheriff and set about to make preparation to defend his case on the fifth day. The clerk — of- the court docketed the case for the third day of the term, and on the calling thereof on said day, appellant failing to answer or make defense, the indictment was taken for true, and the jury fixed his punishment at a fine of $100,00. Appellant was not present in court and did not know of the trial until after it had been concluded, ...Learning of it he came into court the next day and filed his motion and grounds for new:-trial and in support thereof filed his affidavit setting forth the- above..stated facts. .- There -was no -affidavit contradicting that filed by appellant showing that he had been misled by the statement of the deputy sheriff and by reason thereof, had been taken by surprise. The trial court overruled the motion of .appellant .and entered judgment against him, from which he appeals.

In view.'of .the fact that'appellant.Lakes was misled by the statement of the deputy.'sheriff making the arrest as to the day on which the. trial was to take place, and the further fact that appellant, immediately upon ..learning of the trial and verdict, .-came-into court and moved for a new trial and disclosed to the court- by affidavit--not controverted^-that he had been misled as to the day of trial; that he had a good defense to.the charge; that he was not guilty and could prove his' innocence if given an opportunity so to do, we think his motion for new trial should have been sustained and the trial court failing to do so abused a sound discretion.

In the matter of granting new trials the circuit court possesses a broad’; discretion; but where all the facts heard upon the motion prove beyond question the intervening of unavoidable casualty and misfortune against which the defendant could not have reasonably, provided, it is the duty of the court to sustain the motion and grant new trial. Baker v. Commonwealth, 195 Ky. 847.

For the reasons indicated the judgment is reversed • for new trial.

Judgment reversed.