State v. Jackson

July 17, 1918. The opinion of the Court was delivered by Defendant appeals from sentence on conviction of arson, and assigns error, inter alia, in the refusal of his motion for a change of venue.

In support of the motion, he submitted the affidavits of 20 prominent and respectable citizens of the county to the effect that it was impossible for him to get a fair and impartial trial in Jasper county on account of prejudice against him, the inflamed state of the public mind, and the popularity and influence of the prosecutor. The State offered nothing to the contrary. The granting or refusing of motion for change of venue is in the discretion of the Court. But it is a judicial, and not an arbitrary, discretion. Upon the showing made, defendant was clearly entitled to a change of venue. This view of the case makes it unnecessary to consider the other grounds of appeal.

The judgment is reversed, and the case is remanded for a change of venue and a new trial.