Case ID: sw_278/html/0211-02.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

RHODEN v. STATE.
    (No. 9638.)
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    Dec. 9, 1925.)
    1. Intoxicating liquors <&wkey;2'39(,2) — Under evidence charge presenting defense of merely riding in, without controlling car in which was whisky, required.
    Under evidence, in prosecution for transporting liquor, held requested charge, presenting defense of not having put in the car the whisky found there, but having merely ridden in the car as a guest, without having in any way controlled or assisted in controlling the car, should have geen given.
    2. Intoxicating liquors <&wkey;>l3l — One riding in car merely as guest, though unknowingly having placed liquor therein, not guilty of transportation.
    Even though defendant put in car a bottle found containing whisky, if he did not know its contents, and was in the car only as a guest, and had no control or management of the car or whisky, he was not guilty of transporting liquor.
    Appeal from District Court, Houston County ; Ben F. Dent, Judge.
    Joe Rhoden was convicted of transporting liquor, and appeals.
    Reversed and remanded.
    Adams & Adams, of Crockett, for appellant.
    Sam D. Stinson, State’s Atty., of Austin, and Nat Gentry, Jr., Asst. State’s Atty., of Tyler, for the State.
   HAWKINS, J.

Conviction is for transporting intoxicating liquor, with punishment fixed at one year in the penitentiary.

The sheriff testified that he searched a car at the wheel of which Ike Tatom was sitting, and found in Tatom’s pocket a pint bottle of whisky and another bottle lying at Mr. Ta-tom’s feet. They were what is called “Force” bottles. The one in Tatom’s pocket was only about half full. Appellant was some distance from the car in which Tatom was found, talking to some parties in another car. The state appears to have relied largely upon the testimony of Willie Toller, who testified that he went with Tatom, Marshall, and appellant to the latter’s place; that appellant brought a jug of whisky and placed it in Tatom’s car, and also placed a bottle of whisky in the car, from which they all drank. This witness admits that he was under the influence of liquor when they left town, and other evidence indicates he was not in a condition to give a very coherent account of what did happen. No jug was found in the car by the officers.

Appellant’s evidence raised a defensive issue as follows: He testified that while in town Tatom said he was going to show Mr. Marshall his (Tatom’s) place, and invited appellant to go with them; that they had trouble with the car and could not get up a hill; that appellant suggested they go around by his house; that when they got to appellant’s house Tatom went to look at a cow, and that appellant got some water and put in the car; that they only remained there a few minutes. Pie denies placing a jug containing whisky or anything else in the car while at his house. He says that, after they left his (appellant’s) house they went on to Tatom's; that Tatom showed Marshall the land, and that -as they were leaving the field they found two bottles -which were marked “Force”; that Tatom said, “Boys, let’s don’t touch this and take it up and see if Harvey put it here.” He says they took the two bottles and placed them in the car. Appellant denies having any knowledge of what was in the bottles at the time, and claims to have had no control or management of the car whatever, but was only a guest, riding therein at the invitation of Ta-tom. Pie denies that any drinks were taken out of the bottles either before or after they were placed in the car.

Under this state of facts the court gave the jury no defensive charge whatever. In order to supply such omission, appellant requested a special charge to the effect that, if he put no whisky in the car, he could not be found guilty, even though whisky was found in the car and appellant was found riding therein,-unless he was in some way controlling or assisting in controlling the ear. This special charge was refused. This or some similar charge presenting appellant’s defense should have been given. Although he may have carried one of the bottles which he claims was found in Tatom’s field and placed it in the ear, if he did not know it contained whisky at the time, and he was only the guest of Tatom, riding at his invitation, and had no control or management of the car or whisky, he would not be guilty of the offense of transporting intoxicating liquor. See Newton v. State, 98 Tex. Cr. R. 582, 267 S. W. 272; Reid v. State, 100 Tex. Cr. R. 512, 271 S. W. 625.

In view of another trial, we think it not inappropriate to suggest that to our minds the facts call for a charge upon principals, together with defensive charges thereunder suggested by appellant’s testimony. This is illustrated in Newton v. State, supra.

The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded. 
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