{ "id": 8629216, "name": "STATE v. N. L. CARPENTER", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Carpenter", "decision_date": "1949-12-14", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "229", "last_page": "242", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "231 N.C. 229" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "141 S.E. 585", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "195 N.C. 240", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628572 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/195/0240-01" ] }, { "cite": "20 S.E. 2d 273", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "221 N.C. 365", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627865 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/221/0365-01" ] }, { "cite": "23 S.E. 2d 121", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "225 N.C. 22", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8597595 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/225/0022-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 S.E. 284", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "164 N.C. 411", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658513 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/164/0411-01" ] }, { "cite": "182 S.E. 715", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "209 N.C. 50", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2221522 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/209/0050-01" ] }, { "cite": "22 S.E. 2d 447", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "222 N.C. 237", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629693 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0237-01" ] }, { "cite": "90 S.E. 429", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "172 N.C. 895", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11256225 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/172/0895-01" ] }, { "cite": "136 S.E. 346", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "193 N.C. 192", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2217881 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/193/0192-01" ] }, { "cite": "81 S.E. 164", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "166 N.C. 272", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11269441 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/166/0272-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1301, "char_count": 35270, "ocr_confidence": 0.476, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.1695740440695575e-07, "percentile": 0.5860683383471391 }, "sha256": "7b1ce105b97f0d4165263eb987bf6ffc987361aa9312aef8c185c971cf725cc2", "simhash": "1:bc86b53c3ef1606b", "word_count": 6189 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:38:15.383158+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "STATE v. N. L. CARPENTER." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Seawell, J.\nThe rules and regulations adopted by the State Highway and Public Works Commission for the control and discipline of prisoners committed to its custody and intended for the guidance of those who have their immediate control cannot confer upon the latter immunity for disciplinary acts which would otherwise be offensive to the criminal law, unless the particular regulation, per se, is within the authority of the statute relied upon, and the statute itself not violative of the provisions of the Constitution. Section 148-11 of the General Statutes, on which the appellant claims authority for the disciplinary measures taken, reads as follows:\n\u201cThe state highway and public works commission may adopt such rules and regulations for enforcing discipline as their judgment may indicate, not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the state. They shall print and post these regulations in the cells of the con-victsj and the same shall be read to every convict in the state prison when received.\u201d\nThis statute is supplemented in appellant\u2019s brief by G.S. 148-20, reading as follows:\n\u201cIt is unlawful for the state highway and public works commission to whip or flog, or have whipped or flogged, any prisoner committed to their charge until twenty-four hours after the report of the offense or disobedience, and only then in the presence of the prison physician or prison chaplain; and no prisoner other than those of the third class as defined in this article shall be whipped or flogged at any time.\u201d\nS. v. Nipper, 166 N.C. 272, 81 S.E. 164, furnishes a complete background of the law as it stands at present, (G.S. 148-20). The constitutionality of the statute (G.S. 148-11) was upheld in S. v. Revis, 193 N.C. 192, 136 S.E. 346, in an opinion by Chief Justice Stacy which touches practically every phase of the question now before us. But to render lawful any corporal punishment directly provided for in the act or by analogy supposed to be within the authority of the rules and regulations provided for in the preceding section, Gr.S. 148-11, that sort of discipline must be within the rule of reason contemplated by the statute; and excessive punishment may deprive the perpetrator of its protection. S. v. Mincher, 172 N.C. 895, 90 S.E. 429.\nIt should be made clear that if the Commission has, under the supposed authority of the statute, adopted rules for discipline of prisoners by punishment or corrective measures not within its purview, the principle of regard for administrative interpretation evidenced by practice will not control; and the fact that the defendant may have supposed himself to be-within the performance of a regimented duty is not a defense.\nIn a fair consideration of this case we must take note of the fact that prison discipline in this country has been developed in an atmosphere of sterner justice through the courts than that which now prevails, and has taken on that flavor. But during the years both the courts and the executive administration of its edicts have been greatly mollified by more modern, if not more effectual philosophy respecting crime and its punishment; and we have finally come to the point where it has become a question for the humanitarians, (and we all wishfully, at least, belong to that class), the criminologists, and experienced officials working in the field of prison control as to what manner and degree of discipline is best suited for the purposes of the criminal law, and may with propriety and observance of the humanities be applied. The passage between Scylla and Charybdis has not been free from conflicting storms of acrimonious criticism.\nWe certainly have not time or space in this opinion for any dissertation on the ultimate purpose of enforcing the criminal law, \u2014 whether for the punishment of the crime or the reform of the prisoner. Conceding it to be. both, it is obvious, we think, that neither philosophy would he best served by permitting open rebellion or insolence, or such disobedience to the custodial will as would nullify the mandate of the Court, breed disrespect for the law and contempt for those who must enforce it.\nWith the Court itself which tries the accused and determines his guilt and attempts to measure the debt which he owes to society, as well as whether the debtor may, in some respects, be salvaged from his antisocial behavior, the task is more practical than theoretical. Humanitarian considerations, as far as the Court may consider them, (and there is no other phase of the judge\u2019s duty that is so difficult and usually so conscientiously faced), these are reflected in the judgment rendered, often leading to probation, many judges no doubt properly thinking the penitentiary or prison is a poor college from which to graduate the subsequent citizen. Tte duty of the Court, however, ends with the judgment; and we come to the very practical question which boils up to the top of the pot in cases like these: What rights does a prisoner of the law retain when the sentence of the Court is announced and he is inducted into hi\u00e1 new station or status; and what rights has he surrendered to society ?\nIn the first place it is clear that his status is not expressly fixed by the judgment of the Court, \u2014 that does not reach forward and minutely detail his treatment in his new station; there is something over when the sentence is imprisonment, or imprisonment \u201cat hard labor.\u201d Human elements are to be dealt with, \u2014 the things which custodians may or may not do to him. Some of them are necessarily implied in the sentence and incident thereto; and some of them must be in accord, to some extent, with the prevailing mores of the people who stand back of the law.\nWe observe in the first place that as a matter of conclusive inference, the prisoner has, with the temporary surrender of his corporal freedom, also parted with some of those rights and liberties that are pertinent to the free civilian in exercising his will as he may desire. The sentence to imprisonment at hard labor carries with it more than a mere willingness on the part of the prisoner to comply with these conditions. A want of willingness must be supplied by reasonable encouragement, or corrective measures. All of them are imposed upon him in invitum; and he has surrendered those rights of free choice and action which must of necessity be abridged in order that the mandate of the Court may be carried out effectively.\nIn the second place he has forfeited his free choice of conduct, of engaging in practices calculated to destroy the order and effectiveness of the institution to which he has been committed. We all agree to this.\nBut, in all cases where the rule of reason is the important factor or coefficient of action, there is an extensive area in which there are no sharply drawn lines leading to easy definition; instead a twilight zone, on One side of which conduct may not be challenged as other than lawful or innocent, and on the other is clearly nocuous. Even the discretionary power of the judge, ordinarily unreviewable, may come within appellate correction because of its abuse.\nWe cannot, therefore, accept the theory suggested by the defense that because the mode of punishment meted out to the prisoner was specified in the regulations, it was, therefore, necessarily lawful. The manner of its application as testified to by the prisoner, the extent to which it was carried, the period during which it continued, the want of attention during that time, taken in connection with the lack of food and water, and rest from a position intended to inflict discomfort, and which unreasonably protracted was calculated to produce serious injury,- \u2014 we cannot say that these did not go beyond the rule of reason and render its perpetrator liable to the law. Fifty or sixty hours of such treatment in the manner disclosed by the State\u2019s evidence might well raise the question whether the Creator has fashioned the human frame to withstand serious consequences to bone and sinew, not to mention that central nervous complex at the receiving end of pain ahd misery.\nWe express no approval of the regulation immediately concerned or the mode of its enforcement, and we think the conception of the treatment given the prisoner as not being \u201ccorporal punishment\u201d is neither dictionary-wise nor penologically-sound. Why an ex post facto approval of the punishment inflicted should be required, or what effect it is supposed to accomplish does not appear. In so far as the disciplinee is concerned it is Lydford law.\nIt is unfortunate that the defense of the superintendent charged with the violation of the law resolves itself into a defense of the system, of the regulations and administrational practices which it is contended justify in law the excesses exemplified in the punishment inflicted on the Prisoner Lett as detailed in the State\u2019s evidence. Since these rules and regulations have been put in evidence as exculpatory of the defendant, and evidence of official character offered to show that practices similar to that with which we are now dealing are common in prison camps throughout the State, it becomes necessary for us to say that however these disclosures may be received in nonjudicial circles, we find them so inconsistent with the rule of reason contemplated in the statute and so repugnant to natural justice that we cannot regard them as conferring any immunity on the defendant in the instant case.\nThe original warrant on which the defendant was tried in the recorder\u2019s court charged an \u201cassault attended with cruel and unusual punishment.\u201d In the Superior Court from which this appeal-comes, the Solicitor moved to amend the warrant to have the charge read \u201cinflicting serious injury.\u201d This was allowed over the defendant\u2019s objection and exception. Conceding that an amendment to the warrant completely changing the offense with which the defendant was charged could not be made, the nature of the amendment does not present a violation of the rule. The descriptive matter supplied is merely in aggravation of the assault. That might in certain instances have a jurisdictional bearing; but not here. The Special County Court of Eichmond County was created under the general law, now G.S. 7-405, et seq.j and by G.S. 7-435 all criminal offenses under the grade of felonies have been declared petty misdemeanors respecting the jurisdiction of the courts. G.S. 7-435; S. v. Shine, 222 N.C. 237, 22 S.E. 2d 447; S. v. Camby, 209 N.C. 50, 182 S.E. 715; S. v. Hyman, 164 N.C. 411, 79 S.E. 284. The amendment, permissible in the County Court, was properly made in the Superior Court. G.S. 7-149, Rule 12; S. v. Brown, 225 N.C. 22, 23 S.E. 2d 121; S. v. Wilson, 221 N.C. 365, 20 S.E. 2d 273; S. v. Holt, 195 N.C. 240, 141 S.E. 585.\nIt follows that tbe motion to quasb the warrant and the motion for arrest of judgment are without merit. Demurrers to the evidence were properly overruled.\nBut we think that while the trial judge was justified in submitting the evidence to the jury, she suffered a casualty in giving to the jury the following instruction:\n\u201cIf you do not believe the evidence of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt, then in that event only, would you return a verdict of not guilty.\u201d\nThe instruction is doubtless based on the theory that the defendant, as witness in his own behalf, had made such admissions as would have to be discounted, or unbelieved, before his acquittal could be had.\nHowever this process may enter into and direct our thinking, the Court has never, we believe, approved the formula or passed favorably on an emphasis of this sort on the evidence of the defendant alone, or even the testimony of the defendant himself, as bearing so critically on the single issue verdict of guilt or innocence. The negative manner of the statement was calculated to confuse the jury on the necessity of conviction beyond a reasonable doubt on consideration of the whole evidence before they could find the accused guilty, and must be held for error.\nWe do not wish it understood that the Court approves all the instructions to which the appellant has directed exceptions. We do not find it necessary to enter into a maze of discussion which may not be helpful on a new trial, and do not find it necessary to decision to consider other exceptions in the record.\nFor the error indicated the defendant is entitled to a new trial. It is so ordered.\nError. New trial.", "type": "majority", "author": "Seawell, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Attorney-General McMullan and Walter F. Brinkley, Member of Staff, for the State.", "A. P. Kitchin, W. G. Pittman, B. Brookes Peters, and E. O. Brogden, Jr., for defendant, appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE v. N. L. CARPENTER.\n(Filed 14 December, 1949.)\n1. Convicts \u00a7 2: Public Officers \u00a7 7a\u2014\nThe fact that disciplinary punishment inflicted on a prisoner by a prison official is administered in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Highway and Public Works Commission does not render the prison official immune to prosecution for assault uhless the particular regulation relied on is within the statutory authority of the Commission. G.S. 148-11, G.S. 148-20. The statute conferring authority to promulgate such rules and regulations is constitutional.\n2. Same\u2014\nA prison official is not immune from prosecution for assault in administering disciplinary punishment to a prisoner even though the mode of punishment be specified in valid regulations if in the manner of applying the punishment and the extent to which it is carried the punishment is unreasonable.\n3. Same\u2014\nEvidence in this prosecution of a prison official for assault that upon direction of defendant a prisoner was handcuffed to bars so that he could not assume a sitting or reclining position for a period of 50 to 60 hours, without food, with rest periods of 15 minutes every five hours, with further evidence by the prisoner that he was not always given the rest periods as prescribed, is held sufficient to overrule demurrer to the evidence.\n4. Indictment and Warrant \u00a7 15: Courts. \u00a7 4b\u2014\nOn appeal to the Superior Court from a county court upon conviction for assault, the Superior Court has power to allow an amendment of the warrant by the addition of the words \u201cinflicting serious injury\u201d provided tire charge as amended is within the jurisdiction of the county court (G.S. 7-405; G.S. 7-435; G.S. 7-149, Rule 12), since the amendment does not change the offense with which the defendant was charged.\n5. Criminal Law \u00a7 53h\u2014\nAn instruction to the effect that only in the event the jury should not believe the testimony of defendant beyond a reasonable doubt should the jury return a verdict of not guilty, must be held for reversible error even though the defendant as a witness in his own behalf may have made admissions which would have to be discounted before an acquittal could be had.\nDEFENDANT\u2019S appeal from Sharp, Special Judge, Regular July 1949 Criminal Term, Richmond Superior Court.\nThe defendant-appellant was tried in the Special County Court of Richmond County on a warrant charging him as follows :\n\u201cC. H. Holland on Inf. & Belief, being duly sworn, complains and says that at and in said County of Richmond, Rockingham Township, on or about 11 Aug. 1948 & at various other times in past 12 mts. N. L. Carpenter did unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously assault and hang Clarence Lett by his arms on the wall for seventy (70) hours in the N. 0. Prison Camp #607 and did inflict cruel and unusual punishment upon him, contrary to the form of the statute and against the peace and dignity of the State.\u201d\nHe was convicted in that court and appealed to the Superior Court of Richmond County. When the case was called in the Superior Court and before the jury was impaneled, or entry of a plea, the defendant moved to quash the warrant and dismiss the case (a) because he had been tried in the lower court and found guilty of \u201ccruel and unusual punishment,\u201d and there was no such crime; and (b) that the lower court did not have jurisdiction and since the jurisdiction of the Superior Court was derivative, the case should be dismissed.\nThe court denied this motion and defendant excepted. Thereupon the Solicitor moved to strike out the words \u201ccruel and unusual punishment upon him,\u201d and insert in lieu thereof, \u201cserious and painful injuries upon the person of Clarence Lett,\u201d so that the warrant should read, after the amendment, \u201cdid unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously assault and hang Clarence Lett by his arms on the wall for seventy (70) hours in the N. C. Prison Camp No. 607 and did inflict serious and painful injuries upon the person of Clarence Lett.\u201d Defendant objected to the amendment as changing the nature of the crime. The amendment was allowed and defendant excepted.\nClarence Lett, tbe prisoner upon whom the assault was alleged to have been made, testified in substance as follows:\nThe witness was in August, 1948, and several months previously, serving time as a prisoner in the prison camp in Richmond, a term of 18 months for a misdemeanor. Carpenter was Superintendent of the prison camp at the time he was there. Some time in August, 1948, a punishment was administered to the witness by Mr. Carpenter. The witness and other prisoners were working on the highway and ditching along the road and a beer truck came along, and the witness said, \u201cI would like to have me a case of beer,\u201d and one of the prisoners said, \u201cBudweiser is what you need- \u2014 makes you wiser,\u201d \u2014 \u201cand the guards loaded us up and carried us in and hung us up for it. Captain Carpenter had me hung up.\u201d\nSometime in the first of the spring Carpenter came through the mess hall of the prison camp and stated that he was making new rules and that if prisoners were caught talking on the road they were going to be hung up and punished for it. The conversation happened after he had been told that. They were carried into camp after the beer truck passed by.\nThe witness saw Mr. Carpenter the afternoon on which they were brought in. He came in there after Capt. Meeks had already hung the witness and others up and talked to another prisoner and hung him up. It was all for the same thing.\nBy being \u201chung up\u201d the witness stated that \u201cyou had to stand with your hands out before you, when they were handcuffed to the bar.\u201d Standing, the hands were about even with the chest. \u201cThe bars we were handcuffed to are about like these over here in jail \u2014 regular cell bars. They are round, little ridge running down each side. They are far enough apart for you to get your arms through all the way. The handcuffs were strapped around my wrists. There was one bar between my arms. There are cross-bars to these (cell) bars. This cross-bar is a sheet of steel\u201d \u2014 (about a thickness of a few inches) \u2014 \u201cthat runs across the bars about waist high from the floor. That\u2019s the highest bar under my arms.\u201d\n\u201cMy wrists were handcuffed on the other side of the bars and I was left standing there for a certain period of time with my feet on the floor. I could take the weight of my body off my feet by pressing my arms on the cross-bar, but how long could I stand there with it on my arms ? I stood there from Wednesday to Saturday and went to work Saturday morning. I worked every day after I was taken down. I could get my arms through the bars up to my elbows. I could get my elbows through the bars. I could get almost to my shoulders through the bars,- \u2014 could get as far as my head and the rest of my body would let me. My arms could get through the bars until my entire body was resting against the bars but that wouldn\u2019t have anything to do with my feet. My feet did not leave the floor at any time. I was not suspended at any time so that my feet were above the floor.\u201d\n\u201cI went to work on Saturday morning when the squad went out, about 7:00. I was not given any breakfast before I left. I was not released from the bars Friday night; me and Whitey Williams stood up there until Saturday morning. I was not released around eight o\u2019clock Friday night. I did not sleep in my bunk all Friday night until I was awakened the next morning, when I was released from the cuffed position he just uncuffed me and I got my water and walked around for 15 minutes. The night watchman lets us down and sometimes Cap\u2019n. Meeks. There are four or five different night watchmen. Cap\u2019n. Arnett was one of them in August. He was the one that released me on Thursday at night.\n\u201cI went to work on Saturday and worked as long as any of the rest of the squad. We got in camp at 12:00. I did not make any complaint about swollen legs or feeling bad to the guards or foremen. Mr. Carpenter never put his hands on me when I was cuffed to the bars; he come through there one day and I had my foot set up\u201d on the bank and he told me if I didn\u2019t get it down he would slap it down. He did not put his hands on me at any time.\u201d\n\u201cNobody took the trouble to examine my feet. My legs were swollen up after I was taken down two or three days. I was brought in from work on this Wednesday about three o\u2019clock and immediately hung up right after we come in. This was the same day that the talking out on the highway took place.\u201d\nCarl Holland, a witness for the State, testified that he was Sheriff of Richmond County and that he had investigated the alleged assault at the Richmond County prison camp. He had a conversation with Carpenter with respect to Lett,' \u2014 the punishment administered to him. Carpenter carried him out into the cells and showed him how the punishment was administered. While talking about the indictments which had been brought against Meeks and Carpenter, Carpenter stated that Meeks had nothing to do with it; that Meeks administered the punishment under his direction.\nThis witness stated that he exhibited to him the prisoner at that time handcuffed to the bars; that he was in a crouched position, partially on his legs and knees.\nCarpenter said that the punishment was not administered in the presence of a doctor; that he did not have a doctor unless he thought it was necessary. The floor was a cement floor.\nAt the close of the State\u2019s evidence the defendant demurred thereto and moved for judgment as of nonsuit, which was denied, and defendant excepted.\nTbe defendant offered in evidence an authenticated copy of tbe \u201cRules and Regulations Governing tbe Management of Prisoners under tbe Control of tbe State Highway and Public Works Commission,\u201d and these were received as evidence and identified as defendant\u2019s Exhibit A. Excerpts therefrom are quoted infra.\nTbe defendant Carpenter testified that be was at tbe time mentioned employed by tbe State Highway & Public Works Commission, and was now so employed, in tbe capacity of superintendent and manager of prisoners in tbe Richmond County prison camp. That be was responsible for tbe conduct and keep of tbe prisoners at tbe camp and employed tbe prison guards; and bad tbe responsibility for disciplining of prisoners. He testified that on August 11, 1948, be bad occasion to impose disciplinary punishment on Clarence Lett; that Clarence Lett was assigned to tbe road gang working on tbe highway under the supervision of guards and State maintenance foremen. Tbe prisoner Lett was sent to tbe camp by tbe guard; be was sent in at 20 minutes to 4:00 o\u2019clock on Wednesday, August 12. As a result of tbe report from tbe guard, tbe witness gave orders to bis steward to handcuff Lett to tbe bars. Witness introduced tbe report that be bad made with reference to tbe incident, which report was entitled, \u201cGrade Demotion and Punishment Report,\u201d and shows that tbe punishment was for \u201cunsatisfactory work and disorderly conduct on tbe roads,\u201d and contained tbe punishment recommended with grade demotion. Witness\u2019 recommendation was \u201c48 to 60 hours and demote to C. Grade.\u201d Below tbe report there was a printed form for grade demotion and tbe statement, \u201cHandcuffed to bars 30 to 60 hours without food, but plenty of water. Give tbe prisoners a fifteen minute rest period each five hours and do not handcuff tbe arms above tbe waistline.\u201d\nTbe witness stated that he was not present when Lett was handcuffed and did not see him; did not touch him; did not release him at any time but gave instructions to release him periodically. Tbe witness further testified that be bad given instructions to tbe night guards Arnett and Miles to release tbe prisoner every five hours for 15 minutes. Tbe witness stated that be bad seen Clarence Lett occasionally during tbe period be was handcuffed to the bars; that be bad walked in in tbe morning and cheeked to see that all tbe prisoners were out of tbe cells and bad to walk right by him. He did not recall bow be was standing when be saw him.\nCarpenter testified that be gave instructions to handcuff tbe prisoner to tbe bars at tbe time be came in at 20 minutes to four and to be \u201clet down\u201d at 8 :00 o\u2019clock Friday night; did see tbe prisoner when be was checked out to work at 7:00 o\u2019clock Saturday morning; at 6:50 o\u2019clock. Saw him coming out and getting into line with tbe rest of tbe road gang.\nTbe witness testified that respecting \u201cRules and Regulations Governing tbe Management of Prisoners\u201d that be ran bis camp by that book. \u201cI mean on tbe discipline. The book is mailed to ns from Raleigh. Copies of that book I distributed among the prisoners in the cell.\u201d\nOn cross-examination the witness stated that in response to the report \u201cI had when he was sent in, I had him handcuffed to the bars within 30 or 40 minutes after he was sent into the camp. Our rules and regulations say: \u2018Handcuff and require to remain in standing or sitting position for a reasonable period of time; period of punishment to be approved by the disciplinarian.\u2019 \u201d Witness stated that he got the approval on Saturday after the prisoner was down. \u201cOur rule says that the man in Raleigh, who is the disciplinarian, is supposed to tell us how long we can hold a man up there. I didn\u2019t get any such permission on this occasion. I don\u2019t know why I got a report dated on the 14th from Raleigh after the man had already been sentenced and hung up and cut down. I am just superintendent of the camp. As superintendent I am supposed to know how to run it.\u201d\nThe following interchange of question and answer took place:\n\u201cQ. So you didn\u2019t have any authority at the time this man was hung up there to hang him for one hour ?\n\u201cA. Only the custom of the Prison Department. It is not a written rule. It is instructions we get.\n\u201cQ. As a matter of fact, these rules and regulations you are talking about you don\u2019t pay any attention to them at all, do you? You go by custom ?\n\u201cA. In that particular case we have to.\n\u201cQ. This report Mr. Peters showed you and you read \u2014 -what is the date up there at the top ?\n\u201cA. I didn\u2019t read that report. That is a different report.\n\u201cQ. This is dated down here August 14th. This is the one?\n\u201cA. Yes, sir.\n\u201cQ. And the man was hung up August 11th?\n\u201cA. Yes, sir.\n\u201cQ. And you say now that is done by custom and not by written rule? That correct?\n\u201cA. That is the instructions I got.\n\u201cQ. Who did you get instructions from to that effect ?\n\u201cA. It starts down the line from the supervisors on.\n\u201cQ. Who instructed you to disregard the rules and regulations of the Prison Department and act on some custom?\n\u201cA. The supervisor on down to the director.\n\u201cQ. \u2018Period of punishment to be approved by the disciplinarian\u2019\u2014 Now, what does that mean? Mr. Carpenter, the authority that says you can handcuff a man says you must have authority from Raleigh from the disciplinarian, as to the period of time, doesn\u2019t it?\n\u201cA. Says To be approved.\u2019\n\u201cI handcuffed the boy to the bars when he came in. I did not have any authority from the disciplinarian in Raleigh telling me how long this man could be hung up, not on the 12th of August. I ordered him handcuffed. It was done under my orders. I gave instructions to take him down Friday night. I did not see him Friday night and I do not know of my own knowledge when he was taken down. The next time I saw him was in the yard Saturday morning, going to work. I did not have a doctor examine him at any time while he was Up at those bars. After he was taken down the doctor came to the camp on Saturday and had the prisoners to come down if they wanted to come. He (Lett) didn\u2019t come. He was already down and had been back to work on Saturday. I did not go by to examine him to see whether he was suffering or whether his feet were swollen or anything was the matter with him. My Steward did that. I was the man in charge of the prisoners. I told the Sheriff, when Mr. Meeks was indicted, that he had nothing to do with it, that I was the man responsible. That was my opinion. I assumed full responsibility.\u201d\nThe witness testified that the prisoner had been released in accordance with instructions during the period of less than 60 hours.\nThe defendant put on certain prisoners who testified in support of defendant\u2019s claim with regard to the relief given at stated times during the period of punishment.\nOwen Meeks testified that he was steward at the prison camp at the time Clarence Lett was handcuffed to the bars; that he had occasion to administer to him and let him down; that he let him down every five hours for 15 minutes at a time and then put him back to the bars; he was handcuffed to the bars Wednesday afternoon and was not taken down during that afternoon; took him down next morning, Thursday, around 7:00 o\u2019clock. Took him down again around noon and again around five o\u2019clock in the afternoon; saw him on Friday \u201cand took him down the same.\u201d Witness went to work Saturday morning at 5 :30; Lett had then been let down.\nKyle Matthews was offered by the defendant and testified that he was chief inspector for the Prison Department. The defendant sought to show by him what had been done with respect to minor offenses in other camps and under other superintendents. To this the State objected and the evidence was excluded. Defendant excepted. The defense also sought to show by witness Matthews what instructions he had given to the defendant Carpenter respecting enforcement of the rules. The evidence was rejected on objection by the State, and defendant excepted. The jury was excused and in its absence the witness testified: \u201cThe only punishment they had to wait .for approval of was corporal, that is, when you are going to use a leather strap. They had to get that approved by the Raleigh office before it was put into effect. That is provided by the rtiles. The other punishment is never required to be approved before the punishment was put in effect since I have been with the Prison Department. It is in accordance with the prison rules and regulations and in accordance with our training that superintendents administer punishment for minor offenses before they hear from the disciplinarian in Raleigh. We instructed all the superintendents that they did not have to wait to get the approval back from Raleigh to punish them \u2014 to punish a prisoner \u2014 for minor offenses, anything except corporal punishment- \u2014 - they had to wait for that. \u2022 By that I mean, when you use the leather strap to whip one \u2014 that has to be approved by the Chief of the Highway Commission.\u201d\nR. B. Einison was offered by the defense in the absence of the jury, who testified that he was superintendent of Montgomery County Prison Camp and had been for 15 years; that in punishing prisoners for minor offenses it was his custom to cuff them to the bars. \u201cI have heard the description of cuffing to the bars as given this morning. That is the same thing that I do. I also report to Raleigh. I do not wait until I have the approval from Raleigh before I cuff prisoners to the bars because our instructions and our prison supervisors instruct us to go ahead and handcuff them to the bars and state the rules to Mr. Honeycutt, and it has always been approved.\u201d\nOn cross-examination he said he handcuffed prisoners to the bars in his camp and did not get the approval of the disciplinarian before he did that. \u201cIt has always been approved. Sometimes it comes in later and sometimes earlier. We write them up. When a man is brought in from the road for breaking the rules we decide on what kind of punishment he should have. Then I give it to him and at the same time I write it up and send it in to Raleigh to Mr. Honeycutt.\u201d\nThe witness further testified: \u201cThe disciplinarian has never failed to approve a punishment for me. I have not hung them to the bars for as long as sixty hours. I wouldn\u2019t say how long is the longest I ever had one fastened up \u2014 I never had one up that long. I would not consider that cruel and unusual punishment if he deserves it; some of them that don\u2019t have any effect on. I haven\u2019t had one up sixty hours. I have had them in the dark hole longer than that. I don\u2019t remember how long is the longest period I have had a prisoner cuffed to the bars.\u201d\nS. P. Helms, superintendent of Union County Prison Camp, was offered in tbe absence of tbe jury and testified to tbe same effect. He stated tbat for minor offenses be had administered tbe punishment as described in tbe evidence and without waiting for approval of tbe disciplinarian. Tbat it bad always been approved. Tbe longest tbat be bad ever bung a man, be thought, was 60 hours.\nTbe jury was returned and all this evidence was excluded.\nFrom defendant\u2019s Exhibit A, tbat is, The Rules and Regulations Governing .the Management of Prisoners under tbe Control of tbe State Highway and Public Works Commission, adopted by tbe Commission at its meeting of September 26, 1945, was introduced under tbe beading \u201cPunishment, and Discipline,\u201d the following:\n\u201c(a) Tbe superintendent, warden, or tbe officer next in authority designated by the superintendent or warden in bis absence, will be permitted to administer such punishment as herein provided.\n\u201c(b) For Minor Offenses : . . .\n\u201cHandcuff and require to remain in standing or sitting position for a reasonable period of time. Period of punishment to be approved by Disciplinarian.\n\u201c(c) For Major Offenses:\n\u201c1 \u2014 Reduction in grade.\n\u201c2 \u2014 Place tbe prisoner in shackles.\n\u201c3 \u2014 Restricted diet and solitary confinement. Period of punishment to be approved by tbe Disciplinarian.\n\u201c4 \u2014 Additional time to the minimum sentence for a prisoner serving indeterminate sentence.\n\u201c5 \u2014 Corporal punishment, with the approval of tbe Chairman of tbe State Highway and Public Works Commission, administered with a leather strap of tbe approved type and by some prison officer other than tbe person in immediate charge of said prisoner and only after physical examination by a competent physician and such punishment must be administered either in the presence of a prison physician or a prison chaplain.\u201d\nReprint of tbe other exhibits is not relevant to tbe decision.\nAt tbe close of all tbe evidence defendant renewed tbe motion for judgment as of nonsuit, which was denied. Tbe defendant then moved for a directed verdict of not guilty, which was denied, and defendant excepted.\nExceptions to the Judge\u2019s charge pertinent to tbe decision will be found in tbe opinion.\n' \u2018 The case was submitted to the jury and resulted in a verdict of guilty. The defendant moved to set the verdict aside for errors committed on the trial. The motion was denied, and defendant excepted.\n\u25a0 To the ensuing sentence the defendant objected, excepted and appealed, assigning errors.\nAttorney-General McMullan and Walter F. Brinkley, Member of Staff, for the State.\nA. P. Kitchin, W. G. Pittman, B. Brookes Peters, and E. O. Brogden, Jr., for defendant, appellant." }, "file_name": "0229-01", "first_page_order": 279, "last_page_order": 292 }