Case ID: sw_215/html/0303-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "DAVIDSON, P. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

LEWIS v. STATE.
    (No. 5498.)
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    Oct 22, 1919.)
    1. Criminai, law <&wkey;59(2)—All parties PRINCIPALS TO A MISDEMEANOR.
    In the case of a misdemeanor, as a simple assault, all parties are regarded as principals.
    2. Witnesses &wkey;?244—Evidence that witnesses HAD GONE BEFORE .GRAND JURY INADMISSIBLE.
    In a prosecution for simple assault, the state’s theory being that defendant had told another person that, if he would whip the assaulted party, he (defendant) would pay his fine, whereupon the assault was made, question to witnesses, on examination in chief by the state before defendant had asked any question, as to whether they did not go before the grand jury and testify, etc., held' inadmissible even though the witnesses were unwilling.
    3. Criminal law <&wkey;656(9)—Remark of court ON WEIGHT OF TESTIMONY.
    In a prosecution for simple assault through having induced another to attack the assaulted party by agreeing to pay any fine, remark of the court that a witness stated that what he had said in the grand jury room was true, which ought to be enough to satisfy anybody, held erroneous as on the weight of the testimony.
    Appeal from Hunt County Court; A. J. Gates, Judge.
    Chas. Lewis was convicted of simple assault, and he appeals.
    Reversed, and cause remanded.
    Clark & Sweeton, of Greenville, for appellant.
    E. A. Berry, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State
   DAVIDSON, P. J.

Appellant was convicted of simple assault and fined $5.

The conviction occurred in the county court to which an indictment found by the grand jury had been transferred. There were two theories presented by the evidencé. The state’s evidence, briefly stated, is to the effect that appellant had advised or suggested to another party that, if he would whip a young man by the name of Fraley, he (ap- ' pellant) would pay his fine. The party to whom the statement was made, made an assault upon Fraley and knocked him down. The state’s theory of this transaction was that, appellant having stated to the other party if he would whip Fraley he would pay his fine, therefore he was a principal in the transaction. Being a misdemeanor, all parties are regarded as principals. This question was first decided in Texas in Houston v. State, 13 Tex. App. 595. The decisions seem to be uniform to this effect. The defendant’s theory was that he did not make such offer and had no connection with the fight. The two theories, therefore, present a square issue for the determination of tile jury.

Two bills of exception were reserved to the introduction of testimony. They recite practically the same matters, and therefore will be treated as one. While these witnesses were testifying the state in Its examination in chief, and before defendant had asked any question, or had had an opportunity to do so, after having proved by them that defendant had advised the attacking party to make the fight, or rather had agreed to pay his fine if he did whip the other boy, asked the witness if he did not go before the grand jury and testify. This was answered in the affirmative. He was then asked if he did not testify there to the same facts as he was testifying now before the jury. He stated that he had. Various and sundry objections were urged to this. It is not thought necessary to state them. This testimony was not admissible. Appellant had not attacked the testimony or the reputation for veracity of either witness; he had not asked a question. The bill of exceptions excludes th'e idea that the state was surprised at the testimony of its witnesses. They testified to a straight case if the jury believed it and without any .evasion or unwillingness so far as the record shows. The court stated in qualifying the bill that the witness was an unwilling witness. This would not permit this character of testimony, though he might be unwilling and desired not to testify, if in testifying he gave his evidence as he understood the facts occurred. There must be something justifying such character of examination and eliciting such testimony. The authorities on this are quite numerous and will be found collated in Mr. Branch’s" Orim. Law, §§ 866 and 875.

Another bill recites the remarks made by the trial judge, which it is contended were upon the weight of the testimony. The language used by the judge was as follows:

“He (meaning the witness Lewis Roach) states that what he said in the grand jury room and what he says now is absolutely true, and that ought to be enough to satisfy anybody.”

This witness had testified before the grand jury as to the offer of defendant to pay the fine if the boy would whip Fraley. We are of opinion that this remark was on the weight of the testimony and should not have been indulged. The court says he was not intending to comment on the weight of the testimony, but was rebuking the.county attorney for asking this witness with reference to his testimony before the grand jury; but it was in answer to his stating what occurred before the grand jury when his testimony had not been attacked.

The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded. ' 
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