People v. Superior Court

THE COURT.

This is an application for a writ of mandate. The application arises by reason of certain proceedings had in the superior court of the state of California in and for the county of Fresno during the trial of a criminal case, entitled “The People of the State of California

versus

Julian Depavo.” During the trial of the case the jury was duly

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impaneled, and the prosecuting witness was called to the stand by the prosecution, and was by the prosecution examined, and was by the defendant cross-examined, and later another witness was called to the stand, and thereupon counsel for the defendant Depavo objected to the introduction of any testimony relating to the admissions of said defendant on the ground that said information did not state a public offense, and on the further ground that the

corpus delicti

had not been proven. Said objection was argued by respective counsel, whereupon, at the conclusion of said argument, respondent George E. Church, judge of the superior court, Fresno County, made an order that said objection be sustained and the jury be discharged from further consideration of said cause. Later the jury was so discharged and the people of the state of California, by U. S. Webb, as attorney-general of the state of California, and J. H. Riordan, his deputy, have commenced this proceeding to obtain a writ of mandate, directed to the respondent, commanding the respondent to vacate said order discharging the jury, and to resume and proceed with the trial of said cause to verdict and judgment as in the manner prescribed by law of this state, and to do all things necessary in the premises.

The charging part of the information is as follows: “The said Julian Depavo on or about the 13th day of February, 1918, at and in the said county of Fresno and State of California, and prior to the filing of this information, did willfully, unlawfully and feloniously and with force and violence attempt to have and accomplish an act of sexual intercourse with and upon the person of Delora McGovern, a female who was not then and there the wife of the defendant, without the consent and against the will of said Delora McGovern, and she, the said Delora McGovern, then and there resisted the attempt of said defendant to accomplish the said act of sexual intercourse. ’ ’