Opinion
No. A-10913.
October 8, 1947.
(Syllabus.)
1. Bail — Right to Bail in Capital Case. The right to bail in a capital case is absolute unless the proof is evident or the presumption great that the defendant is guilty as charged and that in case of conviction he would probably receive life sentence or death.
2. Habeas Corpus — Evidence Justifying Admitting Applicant to Bail. Upon application for bail by writ of habeas corpus, after commitment for a capital offense by an examinating magistrate, evidence produced in connection with application for bail justified admitting applicant to bail.
Original habeas corpus proceeding by Dick Spears to be admitted to bail on charge of first-degree rape. Bail granted.
H. M. Shirley, of Coalgate, for petitioner. Mac Q. Williamson, Atty. Gen., Sam H. Lattimore, Asst. Atty. Gen., and Lavern Fishel, Co. Atty., of Coalgate, for respondent.
Dick Spears filed in this court a petition for writ of habeas corpus, alleging that he was unlawfully imprisoned and restrained of his liberty in the county jail of Coal county by Thea Bonner, sheriff of said county.
He alleged that he had been arrested by the sheriff of Coal county and that on February 8, 1947, the Hon. W. B. Thornsbrough, county judge of said county, sitting as an examining magistrate, and after a preliminary examination, held said petitioner without bail to answer to the district court of said county upon a charge of rape in the first degree.
It was further alleged that petitioner had not been given a speedy trial, as required by the Constitution and statutes of this state. Okla. Const. Art. II, § 20; Tit. 22 O. S. 1941 § 812. This part of the petition, however, was withdrawn at the hearing on the order to show cause in this court on July 23, 1947, and after the hearing, an order was entered, directing that petitioner be granted bail in the sum of One Thousand ($1000) Dollars, the bond to be approved by the court clerk of Coal county, and when so approved, petitioner to be released.
It is so ordered.