Hildreth v. State

Appellant asks us to reverse a judgment sentencing him to death, following conviction for the crime of rape. The most serious question concerns the trial court’s refusal to grant a change of venue.

Our statute requires in part that the petition for such a transfer he supported by the affidavit of two electors who are not related to the accused in any way. Ark. Stats. (1947), § 43-1502. Instead of offering these affidavits the appellant submitted the sworn statement of three attorneys appointed to conduct his defense, to the effect that they had questioned numerous residents of Lee county and…