Case ID: sw_153/html/1134-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "HARPER, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

FLETCHER v. STATE.
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    Feb. 19, 1913.)
    1. Criminal Law (§ 594) — Continuance-Absence of Witnesses.
    Where, on an application for a continuance because of the absence of witnesses, the state produced evidence that accused had told one of such witnesses that he was not needed and could go where he pleased, that others, to accused’s knowledge, were outside the county to which the subpoena was issued, and that the testimony of another witness would merely impeach that of a state’s witness, the court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Criminal-Law, Cent. Dig. §§ 1321, 1322, 1332; Dec. Dig. § 594.]
    2. Criminal Law (§ 596) — Continuance-Impeaching Evidence.
    A continuance will not be granted to secure impeaching testimony.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Criminal Law, Cent. Dig. §§ 1328-1330; Dec. Dig. § 596.]
    
      3. Cbiminal Law (§ 586) — Continuance— Discretion.
    Even the first continuance is not a matter of right, but is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial judge. •
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Criminal Law, Cent. Dig. § 1311; Dec. Dig. § 586.]
    ' 4. Criminal Law (§ 1120) — Appeal—Presentation op Errors.
    The exclusion of a question cannot be reviewed where the bill of exceptions does not show the answer made, or which would have been given.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Criminal Law, Cent. Dig. §§ 2931-2937; Dec. Dig. § 1120.]
    5. Criminal Law (§ 1174) — Misconduct op Jury.
    That the, jury, in considering a case, discussed the fact that accused was a professional man, and was a good party to make an example of, did not require a reversal, where the evidence showed that he was a professional man, the entire jury believed him guilty, the discussion arose only over the question of punishment, the state’s evidence justified the punishment assessed, and the defense was submitted by a proper instruction.
    [Ed. Note". — For other cases, see Criminal Law, Cent. Dig. §§ 3170-3178; Dec. Dig. § 1174.]
    Appeal from Collingsworth County Court; R. H. Cocke, Jr., Judge.
    W. L. Fletcher was convicted of aggravated assault, and he appeals.
    Affirmed.
    R. H. Templeton, of Wellington, 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
    
    
      
      For other cases see same topic and section NUMBER in Dec. Die. & Am. Dig. Key-No. Series & Rep’r Indexes
    
   HARPER, J.

Appellant was prosecuted and convicted of an aggravated assault, and his punishment assessed at a fine of $500.

That appellant entered the bedroom occupied by Mrs. Eva Snodgrass, undressed, in the nighttime, is proven beyond dispute; he and Mrs. Snodgrass both testifying to that fact. He says he went by her solicitation, and that he did no act - without her consent. She testified that he entered the room without her knowledge or consent, and approached the bed on which she was sleeping, and placed his hands on her person, which aroused her, when she called to others. It also appears that Mrs. -Snodgrass’ brother at once filed a complaint, not waiting until morning.

When the case was called for trial, appellant moved to continue the case on account of the absence of five witnesses, Lester Fields, O. M. Gould, Geo. Brociús, Mrs. Rodgers, and Mrs. Mose Richardson. Appellant was arrested on the 1st day of August, and did not have process issued for any witness until the 24th day of August, 1912, returnable on the 2d day of September. Only one of the above-named witnesses was summoned, Lester Fields.

The state filed a contest of the application, and showed by the testimony of L. A. -Hunt and D. B. Jones that they heard a conversation between appellant and the witness Lester Fields, and they heard appellant tell said witness “that he [appellant] would not need him [Fields] as a witness, and he could go where he pleased;” that after this conversation Fields did leave. As to the witnesses Mrs. Ralph Rodgers, George Brocius, and O. M. Gould, the state introduced the testimony of J. F. Albright, L. A. Hunt, D. B. Jones, and E. V. Smith that none of these witnesses were in Collingsworth county at the time the subpoena was issued by appellant, and that appellant knew this fact. If appellant knew the witnesses were not in the county at the time the process was issued, this would not be diligence. The process should have been directed to the county where they then were, even though the absence may have been temporary. As to the witness Mrs. Mose Richardson, the facts stated it is expected to prove by her would only tend to impeach the testimony of Mrs. E. V. Smith, a witness for the state. A continuance will not be granted to secure impeaching testimony. Garrett v. State, 37 Tex. Cr. R. 198, 38 S. W. 1017, 39 S. W. 108; Rodgers v. State, 36 Tex. Cr. R. 563, 38 S. W. 184; Butts v. State, 35 Tex. Cr. R. 364, 33 S. W. 866; Franklin v. State, 34 Tex. Cr. R. 203, 29 S. W. 1088. A continuance, even the first, is no longer a matter of right, but is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial judge; and under the evidence adduced on the hearing of this motion we cannot say that the court abused his discretion in overruling the motion.

The only other ground in the record relates to a question propounded to the main prosecuting witness, Mrs. Eva Snodgrass, which the bill- states was objected to by state’s counsel. While the bill shows that the jury was retired, and the matter heard by the court, when the objection was sustained, yet it does not disclose what answer the witness made, if any, or what answer he had reason to believe she would have given, if she had answered the question. Under these circumstances there is nothing for us to review. May v. State, 25 Tex. App. 114, 7 S. W. 588; Schoenfeldt v. State, 30 Tex. App. 695, 18 S. W. 640.

This being a misdemeanor, the other questions sought to be raised in the motion for new trial cannot be considered, except the one relating to the alleged misconduct of the jury. The only misconduct alleged is that the jury, while considering the case, discussed the fact that appellant was a professional man, and “was a good party to make an example of.” That he was a professional man was a fact proven in the ease; therefore legitimate to be discussed. But as to him being a good party to make an example of, this does not show that passion or prejudice which alone w'ould authorize a new trial. It seems that the entire jury was of the opinion that appellant was guilty, and this arose over the question of the punishment to be inflicted for the offense; and if the state’s theory of the case is correct the punishment assessed is none too severe. It is true that appellant would show that his acts' and conduct, if his testimony is given credence, were under the belief that his approaches would be acceptable. However, when charged with being in the lady’s room that night, he first •denied being by her bed, and then said he might have gotten too near her bed while he was asleep, and then added he was mean and could not help it. He does not deny offering to pay her to hush the matter up. As the court instructed the jury that, even though the defendant was guilty of undue familiarity' with the person of Mrs. Snodgrass, yet, if he did so by her invitation, or had reasonable grounds to believe, and did believe, that same would not be objected to, to acquit him, and the jury find contrary to his contention, we do not feel authorized to disturb the verdict.

The judgment is affirmed.