Case ID: sw_133/html/0255-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "McCORD, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

GORDON v. STATE.
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    Oct. 12, 1910.
    Rehearing Denied Dee. 21, 1910.)
    1. Disorderly House (§ 16) — Prosecution —Admission of Evidence.
    In a prosecution for keeping a bawdy-house, testimony was admissible to show the character of the house, that, when witness visited it, accused tried to get him to buy a bottle of beer, and stated that it cost $1 a bottle.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Disorderly House, Cent. Dig. §§ 21-25; Dec. Dig. § 16.]
    2. Disorderly House (§ 13) — Prosecution —Admission of Evidence — Reputation op House.
    Where the statute (Acts 30th Leg. c. 132), defining the offense of keeping a bawdyhouse, under which accused was prosecuted, went into effect in August, 1907, and the information charged that accused was the keeper of the house on December 18, 1909, testimony was admissible as to the general reputation of the house from September 1 to December 18, 1909, and was not objectionable on the ground that it was not limited to the time of the allegations in the information, charging accused with keeping the house.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Disorderly House, Cent. Dig. § 20; Dec. Dig. § 13.]
    3. Criminal Law (§ 407) — Evidence — Admissible — Admission by Acquiescence.
    Accused’s silence when charged with an offense is sometimes admissible in evidence, so that in a prosecution for keeping a bawdy-house, testimony of an officer was admissible that he notified accused that she was keeping a disorderly house and must vacate; it not appearing that accused made any reply to the charge.
    [Ed. Note.- — For other cases, see Criminal Law, Cent. Dig. §§ 898-900; 968; Dec. Dig. § 407.]
    Appeal from Tarrant County Court; John L. Terrell, Judge.
    Jeanette Gordon was convicted of keeping a house of ill fame, and she appeals.
    Affirmed.
    McLean & Scott and Warren W. Moore, for appellant. John A. Mobley, 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
    
   McCORD, J.

The appellant was convicted in the court below upon an information charging her with being the owner, lessee, and having the control of a certain house, and “did then and there keep,” or was concerned in keeping, a bawdyhouse. The penalty assessed was a fine of $200 and 20 days in jail. From this judgment of conviction appellant, has appealed, and asks a reversal. In her motion for new trial appellant sets up three-grounds: First, because the verdict of the jury is contrary to and unsupported by the evidence; second, because the verdict is contrary to the law; and, third, because the court erred in "the admission of testimony over the objection of the defendant.

As to the first and second grounds, we will say the testimony supports the verdict. The proof shows conclusively that the appellant was engaged in the running of a house of ■prostitution; that she kept lewd women in her house; that men indiscriminately visited the house, were invited to buy beer, and solicited by the appellant to go to rooms with .the girls for the purpose of illicit intercourse.

We find in the record several bills of exceptions. The first hill of exception in the record is to the action of the court in permitting the state, over the defendant’s objection, to ask the witness Ellis, and in permitting the witness to testify, that the appellant .at the time he visited the house tried to get him to buy a bottle of beer, and stated to the witness that the price of the beer was $1 •a bottle. It is contended that this testimony was immaterial to any issue in the case, and was calculated to prejudice the jury Against the defendant. This testimony was legitimate as a circumstance to show the character of house, and the court did not err in admitting the testimony.

Bills of exceptions No. 2 and No. 3 are to the action of the court in permitting the state to ask the witness and to allow the witness to testify as to the general reputation of the house from the 1st of September to the 18th of December, because the testimony was illegal, and was not properly limited to the time of the allegation in the information. The information charged that she was the keeper of said house on the 18th day of December, 1909. It seems the act of the Legislature defining this offense went into effect about the middle of August, 1907 (Acts 30th Leg. e. 132). We think the testimony was admissible and was properly limited, and that this bill of exception is without merit.

Bill of exception No. 4 is to the action of the court in permitting the state to prove by the witness Snow that he had a conversation with the appellant in which witness stated to her that he (witness) was down in that part of town to notify them all to vacate, and that she was keeping a disorderly house. The bill does not disclose what the appellant replied, or what answer she made to the demand or order of Snow. We think that this testimony was admissible. The officer charged her with keeping a disorderly house. She makes no reply to it. Silence is sometimes a circumstance to he considered by a jury in determining an issue before them. We are clearly of opinion that this testimony was admissible, and that the court did not err in permitting the state to make the proof.

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