Case ID: tex_38/html/0603-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Walker, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Cora Morris v. The State of Texas. Mollie Williams v. The State of Texas.
    Proof by general reputation in the community that a house is kept for public prostitution is sufficient to sustain a prosecutionf or keeping a disorderly house.
    Appeal from Galveston. Tried below before the Hon. Sam. Dodge.
    The defendants were each separately indicted for keeping a house for the purpose of public prostitution.
    On the trial twenty witnesses testified to the reputation of the houses kept by the defendants; that it was bad, and had the general reputation of being kept as houses of public prostitution.
    Verdict of guilty, with fine of $100 in one case and $200 in the other. Motion for new trial overruled, and defendants appealed.
    No brief for either appellant.
    
      Attorney-General, for the State.
   Walker, J.

These cases are submitted together, and what we have to say in the one will apply to both. We think the proof of the character of a house which has become notorious in a city, by general reputation, is sufficient to establish the character of the house; and it is the character which the house bears in the community which forms the subject of inquiry.

The appellants in these cases can take nothing from the bills of exceptions; they had everything to gain, and nothing to lose, by the ruling of the court; and the court ruled correctly, that the witnesses were not bound to answer the question if it would degrade them. When they declined answering the question, taking refuge behind their privilege, it is very evident that if the court had compelled them to answer, the answers would have been damaging to the appellant.

The judgments of the District' Court are affirmed.

Affirmed.