Case ID: fla_96/html/0356-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Buford, J. Strum, J.- Ellis, P. J,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Pearl Adams, Mayme Adams, Carrie Lee Jones and Gladys Jones, Plaintiffs in Error, v. the State of Florida, Defendant in Error.
    
    Division B.
    Opinion filed July 31, 1928.
    
      
      Hardridge c§ Patterson, Geo. 1. Fullerton and Z. Bass, Attorneys for Plaintiffs in Error;
    
      Fred H. Davis, Attorney General and Roy Campbell, Assistant, for Defendant in Error.
   Buford, J.

This ease is before the court on writ of error to the judgment of the circuit court of Brevard county adjudging the defendants guilty of murder in the first degree and sentencing each of them to life imprisonment.

The only question needful to be dealth with by this court is that of the sufficiency of the evidence.

We are mindful of the rule that “A judgment of conviction'will not be reversed where the record discloses substantial evidence of the defendant’s guilt when the question of the sufficiency of the evidence is the only one upon which a reversal is to be predicated.” There is another as well settled rule, however, which we must also observe and that is that “a conviction can not be had upon guess work and suspicion, but must be based upon substantial evidence, as to every material element of the crime, of such a character as to convince a fair and impartial jury of the guilt of the accused.

In this case we find no substantial evidence to establish the guilt of Mayme Adams, Carrie Lee Jones and Gladys Jones. Therefore, the judgment as to these three named defendants, respectively, should be reversed and it is so ordered.

There is substantial and satisfactory evidence disclosed by the record on which the judgment against Pearl Adams may rest and as no reversible error is disclosed by the record in regard to the judgment entered against Pearl Adams, the same should be affirmed and it is so ordered.

Reversed as to Mayme Adams, Carrie Lee Jones and Gladys Jones.

Affirmed as to Pearl Adams.

Whitfield, P. J., and Terrell, J., concur.

Brown, J., concurs in the opinion and judgment.

Strum, J.-

I concur in the judgment of affirmance as to Pearl Adams., I am also of the opinion, however, that the evidence sustains the verdict of guilty as to all defendants, except Mayme Adams, and that the judgment should be affirmed as to Pearl Adams, Carrie Lee Jones and Gladys Jones.

Ellis, P. J,

I think the evidence sufficient to sustain the verdict as to Pearl Adams and Gladys Jones, I therefore agree to the conclusion of the majority as to the guilt of Pearl Adams.