Grinder v. State , 2 Tex. 339 ( 1847 )

The facts of the case are stated in the opinion of the court, •delivered by

Mr. Justice Lipscomb.

It appears from the record in this case, that a slave, belonging to the appellant, was indicted, tried and convicted, in the district court of Fannin county, for the murder of a white man, and executed. A scire facias issued from the court, certifying to the appellant the above facts, and calling on him to show cause why judgment should not be entered against him in favor of the state, for all the costs accruing on the prosecution.

lie failed to appear, and a nisi judgment was awarded. The defendant appeared at the same term, before a final j udgment had been 'rendered, and filed a demurrer to the scire facias. The demurrer was subsequently overruled, and judgment rendered against the defendant for all the costs consequent on the trial, conviction and éxecution of his slave, from which he appealed to this court.

That the scirefacias showed no legal grounds for a judgment against the appellant cannot be doubted. It was a proceeding altogether unauthorized by any law known to this court. Whether it could be sustained where the civil law prevails is a question with which we have nothing at all to do.

The common law in criminal cases, not provided for by legislative enactment, was introduced by the constitution of the republic, and is still the law. The state, in the prosecution of the slave belonging to the appellant, sought no pecuniary compensation; all that was asked was satisfaction for her violated laws; and this not at the hands of the owner of the slave, but •from the person of the offender. Public justice was satisfied in the person of the slave, by the highest and most solemn .atonement the majesty of the law could demand — the life of the offender. Had there been no apjoearance nor defense on the part of the appellant, there was nothing in law to authorize -a judgment against him. The demurrer, then, ought to have been sustained; and for this error in the court below, in overruling it and giving judgment against the appellant, the judgment is reversed and the cause dismissed.