STEPHENSON v. MIRACLE

STEPHENSON v. MIRACLE
1950 OK CR 5
213 P.2d 875
90 Okl.Cr. 299
Case Number: A-11354
Decided: 01/11/1950
Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals

(Syllabus.)

1. Judges Substantial Grounds Upon Which to Base Claim for Disqualification. A judge should not try a case in which there is any substantial ground upon which to base a claim for his disqualification and an error, if made, should be in favor of the disqualification rather than against it.

2. Same Mandamus Fact Court Was Material Witness in Case and Was Closely Related to Parties Sufficient to Support Petition for Disqualification. The fact that trial court was to be a material witness in case, and was closely related by marriage to one of the parties, was sufficient to show implied bias and support petition for disqualification.

3. Mandamus Trial Judge Required to Disqualify Where Petitioner Appears by Counsel and Introduces Sufficient Evidence to Make Out a Prima Facie Case for Disqualification. While the trial judge may not have been disqualified to hear evidence from and on behalf of petitioner at the time he was adjudged in contempt without a hearing as provided by Art. 2, Sec. 25 of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of Oklahoma (which fact resulted in direction by this court for the trial court to grant petitioner a hearing), subsequent events mentioned by the court in response to petitioner's petition for writ of mandamus, as well as matters alleged in said petition, though denied by respondent, require the trial judge to disqualify, where petitioner appears by counsel and introduces evidence sufficient to make out a prima facie case for disqualification, and the respondent judge does not appear, and further his response by letter indicates that recent publicity of application to disqualify might place suspicion upon whatever he might further do in the matter, and that he would welcome an order requiring him to certify his disqualification.

Petition for writ of mandamus by Robert L. Stephenson to require Hon. Jess I. Miracle, District Judge, to disqualify in further proceedings against petitioner in a certain case pending. Writ granted.

Walter A. Billingsley and Clem H. Stephenson, Wewoka, and Harry Stephenson, Okemah, for petitioner.

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Jess I. Miracle, Okemah, respondent.

POWELL, J.

This case is before us on petition for writ of mandamus to require Hon. Jess I. Miracle, district judge, to disqualify from presiding in any further proceedings against petitioner in a case pending in the district court of Okfuskee county, styled: "In the Matter of the Habeas Corpus of Patricia Stephenson, a minor", No. 11966, wherein it is sought to declare the petitioner, Robert L. Stephenson, guilty of direct contempt of court.

In the habeas corpus matter mentioned, petitioner, the father of the child sought, had been arrested and brought before the court, who thrice asked petitioner: "Will you immediately bring the baby into court?" to which petitioner twice gave no answer, but the third time replied: "I could not do so myself." There was no explanation as to why he could not do so. The court without a hearing adjudged the herein petitioner in direct contempt of court and ordered him to jail, until he produced the said child. Robert L. Stephenson applied to this court for a writ of habeas corpus, the case being reported in 89 Okla. Cr. 427, 209 P.2d 515, and the writ was granted with directions that the petitioner be accorded a hearing on the direct contempt charge, as required by Art. 2, Sec. 25 of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution, and which case may be referred to for detailed treatment of the question.

Petitioner thereafter filed in the district court of Okfuskee county a motion for change of judge, which was verified by petitioner's oath and testimony was offered in support of the motion, but the court asserted that he was not disqualified and declined to hear any evidence in support of the motion on the statement of counsel that

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he wanted to make a record as a basis for seeking a writ of mandamus in this court. The court stated: "There isn't any use of offering evidence here if you are going to offer it up there." A copy of the motion and a transcript of the proceedings before the trial court on hearing of the motion are attached to and made a part of the petition.

Petitioner alleges in his petition that the respondent is disqualified to hear said contempt charge for the following reasons:

"1. That Respondent is a material witness in said hearing.

"2. That bias and prejudice exists on the part of the Respondent and against this Petitioner to such an extent that this Petitioner cannot obtain a fair trial in said matter before the Respondent.

"3. That Petitioner's brother married Respondent's sister, and Respondent, consciously or unconsciously, is inclined to lean against Petitioner in order to avoid criticism by reason of said relationship."

In this court the respondent made return by way of letter addressed to this court dated January 9, 1950, without the service of an alternative writ of mandamus.

Respondent denies being disqualified or prejudiced in the matter, but states that since the application to disqualify has been given wide newspaper publicity, that suspicion would attach to any judgment he might render, and, therefore, he would welcome an order of this court directing him to disqualify.

At the hearing on January 11, 1950, respondent failed to appear in person or by counsel, but petitioner appeared in person and by counsel, and evidence was heard.

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The sole question presented in this proceeding is the sufficiency of the application, and the proof in support of the same.

By reason of the statement of the respondent, and the proof introduced in support of the petition, we are of the opinion that respondent should immediately certify to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma that he is disqualified in said cause, and that another judge be assigned to hear such cause.

It is so ordered.

BRETT, J., concurs. JONES, P.J., not participating.