Case ID: sw_236/html/0739-01.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

HIBBITT v. STATE.
    (No. 6466.)
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    Nov. 16, 1921.
    Rehearing Granted Jan. 11, 1922.)
    1. Criminal law <@= 1090(3) — Proof of venue not considered in absence of bill of exceptions raising issue.
    Question of sufficiency of evidence to prove venue will not be considered on appeal in absence of bill of exceptions presenting the issue, under Vernon’s Ann. Code Cr. Proe. 1916, art. 938.
    On Motion for Rehearing.
    2. Jury <@=131 (15) — Exclusion of answer to question to jurors of voir dire examination on ground that question was too general held error.
    In prosecution for failure to support an infant child, refusal to permit defendant’s attorney to examine jurors on their voir dire as to whether they believed • that a man should be punished for failure to support his child regardless of the circumstances or reasons for such failure, on the ground that question was too general, held error.
    Appeal from McLennan County Court; Giles P. Lester, Judge.
    R. C. Hibbitt was convicted for failure to support his infant child, and he appeals.
    Reversed and remanded.
    John McGlasson, of Waco, for appellant. R. G. Storey, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.
   HAWKINS, J.

Conviction was for failure to support appellant’s infant child, punishment being assessed at six months’ imprisonment in the county jail.

Only one bill of exceptions appears in the record. While the jurors were being examined on their voir dire, the state’s attorney asked them if they believed in the enforcement of the law which makes it an offense for a man to refuse to support and maintain his children. Upon answer being made in the affirmative, appellant’s counsel then asked them:

“Do you believe that a man should be punished for failure to support his child regardless of the circumstances or reasons for such failure?”

The court sustained the objection to this question. We think the question was entirely too general. It in no particular apprised the jury of, nor embraced, any defensive theory.

For the first time in his motion for new trial appellant questions proof of venue. No bill of exceptions presents this issue. Under these circumstances this court is not authorized to review the matter. Article 938, Vernon’s C. C. P.; McGlasson v. State, 38 Tex. Cr. R. 351, 43 S. W. 93; Thompson v. State, 72 Tex. Cr. R. 6, 160 S. W. 685.

The only other question raised by appellant is that the evidence does not show that he failed to support the child, or that the child was in destitute and necessitous circumstances. In passing upon this issue it is necessary for us to look to the state’s testimony in its entirety to ascertain if the complaint is tenable. However, we do not deem it necessary to set out here the evidence, because it raises a question of fact merely, and would not be helpful to the bench or bar of the state generally. After a careful examination of the state’s testimony we have reached the conclusion that it was sufficient for the jury to have based thereon its finding against the contention of appellant. It is true the testimony is challenged in some particulars by that of appellant, but this only raises an issue of fact, which it was the province of the jury to determine, and they have settled that in favor of the state. It is only where there is no testimony or insufficient testimony to support a conviction that this court will be authorized to set it aside, and not, as in this instance, where there may be a conflict in the testimony.

Finding no error in the record, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

On Motion for Rehearing.

On further consideration and consultation we have reached the conclusion that we were in error in holding that the question propounded to the jurors by appellant’s counsel was too general. An answer thereto might have disclosed the attitude of some juror upon the subject inquired about that would have formed a basis for a challenge for cause, or, at least, would have enabled appellant to exercise his right of peremptory challenge more intelligently. Barnes v. State, 74 Tex. Cr. R. 501, 168 S. W. 858; also see cases cited under note 50, Vernon’s O. C. P. p. 380.

It is also urged that we were in error in holding the evidence sufficient to sustain the conviction. Upon a closer analysis of it it must tie conceded that it is not as satisfactory and convincing as it might be. It may not be the. same upon another trial, if one i's hád. We make no further comment on it, ■as -.the case will be reversed on the other ground.

• The motion for rehearing is granted, judgment of conviction is reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial. 
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