Case ID: sw_142/html/0585-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      DAVIDSON, P. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

WYVIAS v. STATE.
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    Dec. 6, 1911.
    Rehearing Denied Jan. 17, 1912.)
    1. Rape (§ 33) — Indictment—Attempt.
    An indictment for attempt to commit rape, which charges that defendant, a male, did unlawfully commit an assault on a female, under the age of 15 years and unlawfully attempt to ravish the female assaulted, but which fails to charge that the attempt was made by force or threat or fraud, is insufficient. '
    TEd. Note. — For other cases, see Rape, Cent. Dig. § 36; Dec. Dig. § 33.*]
    2. Rape (§ 33) — Indictment pop. Attempt-Force.
    In an indictment for attempt to commit rape, the character of force necessary to be charged is the same as that required in the ordinary rape by force.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Rape, Cent. Dig. § 36; Dec. Dig. § 33.]
    3. Rape (§ 33) — Indictment—Attempt—Female Under Age of Fifteen.
    An indictment for an attempt to commit rape on a female under the age of 15 years must show an intent to use force which might reasonably be supposed to be sufficient to overcome all resistance.
    [Ed. Note. — For other eases, see Rape, Cent. Dig. § 36; Dec. Dig. § 33.]
    4. Rape (§ 60) — Verdict—Responsiveness to Issues.
    A verdict, convicting defendant of an attempt to rape, rendered upon the sole issue of an assault with intent to commit rape, is not responsive to the issues.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Rape, Cent. Dig. § 101; Dec. Dig. § 60.]
    5. Rape (§ 53) — Attempt — Sufficiency of Evidence.
    Evidence, in a prosecution for attempt to rape, held not to show the requisite degree of force.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Rape, Cent. Dig. §§ 78-81; Dec. Dig. § 53.]
    Appeal from District Court, Potter County; J. N. Browning, Judge.
    Richard Wyvias was convicted of an attempt to rape, and he appeals.
    Reversed and remanded.
    Crudgington & Umphres and Lloyd Fletcher, for appellant. C. E. Lane, Asst. Atty. [ Gen., for the State.
    
      
      For other cases see same topic and section NUMBER in Dec. Dig. & Am. Dig. Key No. Series & Rep'r Indexes
    
   DAVIDSON, P. J.

The indictment contains two counts, the first charging appellant with intent to rape, and the second count undertakes to charge an attempt to rape. Omitting formal parts of the second count, it reads as follows: “Richard Wyvias, a male, did then and there unlawfully make and commit an assault in and upon Alda Bildo, a female, who was then and there under the age of fifteen years and was not the wife of the said Richard Wyvias; and the said Richard Wyvias did then and there unlawfully attempt to ravish and have carnal knowledge of the said Alda Bilbo,” etc. Conviction was under the second count.

The evidence is in direct conflict. The defendant denied absolutely all connection with the transaction, or his presence at the time and place about which the state witnesses testified. The evidence for the state is, substantially, that on Sunday night, some time after dark, appellant laid the alleged assaulted party on the ground for the purpose of having intercourse with her. The girl testifies that he entered her person and hurt her a little but not much. There is some evidence of discharge of semen found on the clothes of the girl as testified by the mother. Two physicians, at the instance of the city marshal, made a critical examination of the girl. Their testimony excludes any idea of penetration or any bruises about her person. We deem it unnecessary to mention the testimony introduced by appellant further than to state that the evidence of himself and two other witnesses exclude his presence at the time and place of the alleged act.

1. The court submitted only the law applicable to an assault with intent to commit rape upon a girl under 15 years of age. The jury convicted under the second count, which undertook to charge an attempt to commit rape. Several questions are raised suggesting the insufficiency of the indictment, of the testimony, as well as the fact that the jury convicted on the second count, which was not submitted to them by the charge. We are of opinion all three of the questions require a reversal of the judgment.

An inspection of the charging part of the indictment quoted shows clearly that the motion in arrest of judgment should have been sustained, and that it does not charge an attempt to commit rape. This question has been before the court in quite a number of cases, and it would seem hardly necessary to review the question again. In every case that has been called to our attention where the indictment or the evidence was insufficient in this character of case, the judgment has been reversed on both propositions. The indictment fails to allege that the attempt was made either by force, threats, or fraud. It will be remembered that in this offense the age of the prosecutrix does not enter into the offense.

In an indictment for attempt to commit rape, the character of force necessary to be charged is that it must be the same as that required in the ordinary rape by force. Warren v. State, 38 Tex. Cr. R. 152, 41 S. W. 635; Taylor v. State, 44 Tex. Cr. R. 153, 69 S. W. 149; Waire v. State, 64 S. W. 1061; Holloway v. State, 54 Tex. Cr. R. 473 et seq., 113 S. W. 928; Moon v. State, 45 S. W. 806; Milton v. State, 23 Tex. Cr. R. 204, 4 S. W. 574.

It has also been held that an accused cannot be convicted of an attempt to commit rape' on a female under the age of 15 years unless it be shown that he intended to use force and such force was reasonably supposed to be sufficient to overcome all resistance. Same authorities. Under these cases the indictment is not sufficient, and the motion in arrest of judgment should have been sustained as to the second count.

2. The court submitted only the issue of an assault with intent to commit rape upon a girl under 15 years of age. A conviction for an attempt to commit rape could not be had under that count of the indictment. Nor could it be had even had' the court submitted the second count for the consideration of the jury, because that count only charges an attempt to rape on a girl under 15 years of age, and it entirely omits the necessary allegation of force. The verdict of the jury must be responsive to the charge of the court as well as to the allegations in the indictment. A jury cannot convict of an attempt tó rape under an allega¿ tion of assault with intent to commit rape. Authorities above cited.

3. The evidence does not show force, or that character of force which is required in cases of attempt to rape. Authorities already cited.

The judgment is reversed, and the cause is remanded.