Case ID: sw_269/html/0437-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "HAWKINS, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

WEBB v. STATE.
    (No. 9029.)
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    March 4, 1925.)
    1. Embezzlement <&wkey;44(l) — Evidence held, to sustain conviction for conversion of automobile battery.
    Evidence held to sustain conviction for conversion of automobile battery.
    2. Criminal law <&wkey;369(5) — Admission of testimony held not objectionable as proving another crime.
    In prosecution for conversion of automobile battery, owner’s testimony that battery in defendant’s automobile at time it was brought to his place of business belonged to another was not objectionable as tending to prove another crime, where only reference to such testimony showing battery had been stolen was' contained in objection urged.
    Appeal from Harris County Court at Law; Eoy E. Campbell, Judge.
    George Webb was convicted of converting a battery, to his own use without the owner’s consent, and he appeals.
    Affirmed.
    Tom Garrard, State’s Atty., and Grover C. Morris, Asst. State’s Atty., both of Austin, for the State.
   HAWKINS, J.

The information charges that appellant had possession of a battery belonging to one Turney by virtue of a contract of hiring, 'and that, while in the possession of said battery as 'a bailee, appellant fraudulently converted it to his own use without Turney’s consent. A conviction resulted, the punishment being a fine of $50 and one hour in jail.

The evidence shows that on November 6, 1923, appellant went to Turney’s place of business, and left his battery to be recharged ; that Turney put a rent battery in appellant’s car for which appellant agreed to pay him 25 cents per day until his own battery was again ready for use. Upon examination -of appellant’s battery it was found to be in such condition that it would not take a recharge without being rebuilt. Turney telephoned appellant, who went to the former’s place of business, and after being advised as to the condition of the battery Turney was authorized to tear it down and rebuild it. After this time appellant never returned to see about his own battery or to pay the charges on the''rent battery which had been placed in his car. On January 30th complaint charging him with theft by conversion was filed. After being arrested on the charge he went to see Turney, but did not return the battery. He claimed then that a man by the name of Pressler had been using his battery and automobile, and had promised to pay rent on the battery. The evidence shows, however,' that Pressler did not borrow appellant’s car until about the middle of January; that during the entire months of ‘November, December, and January up to the time the ear was loaned to Pressler, appellant was using the battery in question; that Pressler used 'the car about 20 days in February, and appellant used it the balance of the time. After appellant’s arrest Prfessler undertook to make a settlement with Turney relative to the battery, but declined to pay the rent on it at 25 cents per day. No offer to pay the rent or effort was ever made by either Pressler or appellant to settle or adjust the matter until after appellant was arrested. The evidence shows that in all probability the battery was worn'Out at the time of .trial.

The ease was tried before a jury, and we i presume the issues both for the state and appellant were fairly presented and discussed, and the jury resolved the issues of fact in favor of the state, finding appellant guilty of the' conversion of the battery. In our opinion, we would not be authorized under the evidence to disturb this finding.

Only one bill of exception is in the record. It appears from said bill that while Turney was upon the witness stand he was asked if he knew to whom the battery which was taken out of appellant’s car belonged, to which the witness replied that he did. Objection was made to the question upon the ground that the answer would prove the theft of another and different battery by appellant, and would be highly prejudicial. The objection being overruled, the witness answered that the battery in appellant’s automobile at the time it was brought to witness’ place of business belonged to the Houser Battery Company. There is nothing in the bill to indicate that the witness in any way intimated that such battery had .been stolen by appellant or any one else. The only reference to such testimony showing the battery had been stolen was contained in the objection urged. From the bill as presented we discover no error in the ruling of the court relative to the matter.

The judgment is affirmed.