Patterson v. Board of Commissioners

Hanna, J.

A defendant, charged with murder, was, on change of venue from Knox county, tried in Daviess. Eof the expenses incurred by the latter county, in that trial, the Circuit Court thereof, on motion of appellees, ordered that appellant, should draw an order on the treasurer of Knox county. The latter county appeared to said motion and resisted, &c.

These facts were shown to the Knox Circuit Court, and that appellant refused to draw such order in pursuance of the said order of the Daviess Circuit- Court, and a mandate was prayed. A rule to show cause was granted. Appellant appeared and demurred, which was overruled, and final judgment against him.

Two questions are presented: 1st. Is Knox county liable for said costs ? 2d, If so, were the proper steps taken by appellees ?

It is conceded that there is not in, nor subsequent to, the revision of 1852 any express statute requiring the county, in which an indictment may be found, or a prosecution initiated, to pay the expenses of the prosecution after the case shall have passed therefrom by change of venue. But it is contended that section 172, p. 383,2 R. 8. 1852, continues in force the act of 1843, p. 1002, upon that subject. The statute of¡ 1852 is as follows: “ The laws and usages of this State relative to pleadings and practice in criminal actions, not inconsistent herewith, as far as the same may operate in aid hereof, or to supply any omitted case, are hereby continued in force.” By the act of 1843 the county from which the change should be taken had to bear the expense, as audited and allowed by the Court trying the cause.

William K. Niblaek, for appellant. John Baker, for appellee.

If this provision can be properly considered as being relative to pleadings and practice, in criminal actions, then the inquiry would arise, under the section quoted of the act of 1852, whether it was continued in force. But if it does not fall within “the laws and usages of this State” of that character, then we can not further deliberate as to whether it is continued in force.

Ve are of opinion that the practice in criminal cases contemplated by this statute includes, among other things, the usual orders, &c., of the Court in reference to the costs of such proceedings. This being so, the statute of 1843 is continued in force in regard to costs on changes of venue in such cases.

As to the second question,we see no objection to the mode of proceeding. The Court in Daviess made the requisite order, and as the Auditor of Knox disobeyed the same, we suppose it was proper, under the statute, in pursuing the remedy here sought, to institute the proceeding to obtain it in the county where he resided.

Per Guriam.

The judgment is affirmed with costs.