Case Name: PEOPLE v. MUSHLOCK
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1926-03-20
Citations: 233 Mich. 559
Docket Number: Docket No. 148
Parties: PEOPLE V. MUSHLOCK.
Judges: Bird, C. J., and Sharpe, Snow, Steere, Fellows, Wiest, and McDonald, JJ., concurred.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 233
Pages: 559–560

Head Matter:
PEOPLE V. MUSHLOCK.
Intoxicating Liquors — Searches and Seizures — Evidence—Admissibility — Committing Felony in Oeeicer’s Presence.
In a prosecution for the unlawful possession of intoxicating liquors, where it appeared that an officer, concealed near the back door of defendant’s soft drink place, saw persons leaving under the influence of liquor, discovered the place where the liquor was hidden, saw defendant place a two-quart glass can therein, inspected it and detected the odor of moonshine whisky, saw defendant come and get the can, called to defendant, who threw away the can and ran, the broken glass and some of the whisky which the officer recovered were admissible in evidence over defendant’s objection that said evidence was pro cured by unlawful search, since the officer knew, from the information so received, that defendant was committing a felony in Ms presence.
Exceptions before judgment from Cheboygan; Shepherd, J.
Submitted January 14, 1926.
(Docket No. 148.)
Decided March 20, 1926.
John Müshlock was convicted of violating the liquor law.
Affirmed.
Collins & Thompson, for appellant.
Andrew B. Dougherty, Attorney General, and Ward I. Waller, Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.
Intoxicating Liquors, 33 C. J. § 376.

Opinion:
Clark, J.
Defendant was convicted of possessing intoxicating liquor. Exceptions before sentence present the question that the evidence against him was procured by an unlawful search of his premises, and therefore ought not to have been received. Defendant conducted what was known as a soft drink place. Complaints were made to the sheriff to the effect that intoxicating liquor was being dispensed there. A back way was used commonly by patrons of the place. The sheriff, concealed near the back way and back door, watched. He saw persons leave under the influence of liquor. He discovered the place where the liquor was hidden, a "cubby-hole" behind the building and partially covered by roofing paper, in which he saw the defendant, several times, place a two-quart glass can. Entering by the back way the officer, through the opening, saw the can and there detected the odor of moonshine whisky. He returned to his hiding. Presently defendant came again for the can. The sheriff came out and called "Stop, John Mushlock." Defendant threw the can from him and ran. The officer recovered some of the whisky and some of the broken glass, which were received in evidence.
The officer knew from such information so received that defendant was committing a felony in his presence. The knowledge was gained without unlawful search. In principle the case is like People v. Chomis, 223 Mich. 289; People v. Woodward, 220 Mich. 511.
Affirmed and judgment advised.
Bird, C. J., and Sharpe, Snow, Steere, Fellows, Wiest, and McDonald, JJ., concurred.