Mitchell v. State

BROOKS, Judge.

Appellant was convicted upon a plea of guilty of murder in the first degree, and his punishment assessed at death. We find no bills of exception in the record. The court properly charged on both degrees of murder. The record shows that appellant was properly warned before entering his plea.

Appellant’s second assignment of error complains that the court erred in permitting the introduction of the voluntary statement made by appellant at the examining trial. There is no bill reserved to the statement, hence the ruling of the court, if erroneous, can not be reviewed. If we were, under the rules of this court, permitted to look at the testimony it would disclose the fact that the proper predicate was laid.

Appellant’s third ground for new trial complains that the court erred in not granting the same, on the ground of newly discovered' evidence to the effect that appellant was of unsound mind and that he could prove same by two witnesses who live in Burleson County. There is no affidavit attached and no legal showing in the motion complying with the rules of the statute in reference to newly discovered evidence, These, alone, are. the grounds urged by appellant for a new trial, in addition to the fact that the verdict is contrary to the law and the evidence. The evidence shows a cruel and unprovoked murder on the part of appellant. Appellant slipped into the house where deceased was sleeping and with an axe crushed her head and the record shows that this was done because he was mad at her. The act was done with premeditated design and with a deliberation that amply warranted the jury in assessing the death penalty.

The judgment is in all things affirmed.

Affirmed.

Henderson, Judge, absent.