Case ID: sw_245/html/0913-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": ".MORROW, P. J. LATTIMORE, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

SEYMOUR v. STATE.
    (No. 7047.)
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    Nov. 8, 1922.
    Rehearing Denied Jan. 8, 1923.)
    1. Robbery &wkey;>24(6) — Evidence held to sustain conviction for assault with intent to rob.
    Evidence hold to sustain conviction for assault with intent to rob.
    2. Criminal law <&wkey;829 (I) — Refusal of requested charge not error where court practically adopted language of other special charge .on same subject submitted by defendant.
    The refusal of requested charge was not reversible error where the court, in charging on the question covered by such refused charge, practically adopted the language of one of the special charges submitted by the defendant.
    3. Criminal law <&wkey;829(l) — Refusal of special instruction not error where subject-matter is embraced in other special charge or in main charge.
    A special instruction, may be refused where the subject-matter is in substance embraced in another special charge that is given or is embraced in the main charge.
    On Motion for Rehearing.
    4. Criminal law <§=>814(16) — Refusal of requested charge on voluntary character of confession not error in view of absence of evidence that confession was not voluntarily made.
    In a prosecution for assault with intent to rob) the refusal of requested charge on the voluntary character of confession of defendant introduced in evidence was not reversible error, even if it more aptly presented the question than the charge given by the court, where there was no testimony supporting the proposition that the confession was not freely and voluntarily made.
    <S=3For other eases see same topic and KEY-NUMBER in all Key-Numbered Digests and Indexes
    Appeal from District Court, Wichita County ; P. A. Martin, Judge.
    H. J. Seymour was convicted for assault with, intent to rob, and he appeals.
    Affirmed.
    Mathis & Caldwell, of Wichita Falls, for appellant.
    R. G. Storey, Asst Atty. Gen., for the State.
   .MORROW, P. J.

The conviction is for assault with intent to rob. Punishment fixed at confinement in the penitentiary for a period of four years.

The alleged injured party was W. B. Flemmons, who testified- that after he had retired some one knocked at the door and claimed that it was Archie Ilayne (who was a friend of Flemmons). Flemmons struck a match and opened the door, and the party outside came in with a pistol in his hand, pointed the gun at Flemmons, and stooped over. Flemmons grabbed the gun and a struggle ensued. The gun was fired twice, and the party went out of the room. The assailant left his hat in the room', which was identified as belonging to the appellant, Seymour.

The testimony of Byers, an accomplice, was used and was to the effect that he, Seymour, and Little made an agreement to rob Flemmons; that he (Byers) went into the house to Flemmons’ bed, and that, when Flemmons saw the pistol, he asked who the assailant was, and was told that it was a friend. Flemmons grabbed Byers, and in the struggle the pistol was fired twice. The witness said he was wearing Seymour’s hat; that he told Flemmons his name was Hayne; that he did this at Seymour’s suggestion.

We understand from Byers’ testimony that the appellant and Little were present and had handkerchiefs tied over their faces. Little stayed in the alley, and Seymour was in the yard, but did not go into the house. The witness Byers had a pistol. The object of the entry was to rob Flemmons of money which they understood that he had in his possession.

Appellant’s written confession was introduced to the effect that he, Byers, and Little had planned to rob Flemmons and another party; that they went to the house of Flem-mons with handkerchiefs tied over their faces ; that he and Byers exchanged hats; that he told Byers to say his name was Hayne; that Byers opened the door and said, “Lay still.” There was a scuffle and shots were fired, and that he and Little ran away. Byers later joined them.

We fail to discern any such weakness in the evidence as to justify a reversal for want of proof.' Our attention has been directed to no authority which would justify such a conclusion. See Branch’s Ann. Tex. Penal Code, § 2409.

The court instructed the jury that the confession could not be considex-ed unless the jury should believe that it was voluntarily made by the defendant. The court gave a special charge that the confession alone was not sufficient, and to support the conviction there must he corroboration. It also instructed that the mere presence of the appellant would not justify a Conviction. The court further charged on the law of aggravated assault.

Two special charges were requested to direct the minds of the jury to the law requiring that the confession be voluntary. The charge given was practically in the language of one of the special charges requested. The appellant did not testify, nor was there any affirmative testimony discrediting the voluntary-character of the confession, unless it be that showing the presence of officers at the time it was made. It was made to the county attorney, who testified to its voluntary character. In form, it complied with the statute. It was made in the presence of Byers and Little, as well as the two policemen and the deputy sheriff. At least, they were in the office of the county attorney at the time. The policemen had made the arrest. One of appellant’s eyes was red.

Conceding that under the rule in Cortez v. State, 43 Tex. Cr. R. 382, 66 S. W. 453, one of the special charges prepared by the appellant would have been more appropriate on the question of the voluntary character of the confession than that which was embraced in the court’s charge, we are of opinion that, in view of the fact that, in writing his charge, the court practically adopted the language of one of the special charges upon the saíne subject which the appellant submitted, his refusal to give the other special charge was not error justifying a reversal of the judgment. The rule is well established that a special instruction may be refused where the same, in substance, is embraced in another special charge that is given, or embraced in the main charge. Vernon’s Tex. Crim. Stat. vol. 2, p. 495, note, 18, and authorities cited. See Mays v. State, 58 Tex. Cr. R. 651, 127 S. W. 546; Tucker v. State, 67 Tex. Cr. R. 510, 150 S. W. 190.

Finding no error in the record, the judgment is affirmed.

On Motion for Rehearing.

LATTIMORE, J.

The only complaint presented on rehearing is that the trial court erred in refusing to give a special charge asked by appellant, the substance of which was to tell the jury that they could not consider against appellant a statement signed by him in the nature of a confession, unless they believed that said statement was freely and voluntarily made, and that, if they entertained a reasonable doubt of the voluntary character of said statement, they should not consider it. It is urged that said special charge presented the law applicable to the proposition that a confession was not to be considered unless freely ?nd voluntarily made, in more appropriate language than this issue was presented in the charge as given. An examination of the statement of facts discloses that appellant did not testify in his own behalf, nor did he introduce any witness save Mr. Belcher, an officer. Nothing appears in the testimony of Mr. Belcher casting doubt upon the free and voluntary character of the confession of the accused. We have examined ¿new the testimony given by the state witnesses, and find nothing therein supporting the proposition that said confession was not freely and voluntarily made. It appears to us that the submission of said issue- to the jury was out of the abundance of caution, and that the claim of appellant is without substantial foundation. This being the case, it is out of the question to direct a reversal, because it might be admitted that the special charge more aptly presented the issue than that given.

Believing the case was originally disposed of in accordance with law, the motion for rehearing will be overruled.'