Case Name: STATE v. COLVIN
Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: South Dakota
Decision Date: 1910-01-26
Citations: 24 S.D. 567
Docket Number: 
Parties: STATE v. COLVIN.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Dakota Reports
Volume: 24
Pages: 567–572

Head Matter:
STATE v. COLVIN.
Under Code Cr. Proc. § 3 85, providing that the court in charging must state all matters of law necessary for the jury’s information, it is discretionary with the court, in the absence of any written request, to determine what instructions it will give, and there was no error in a failure to charge, in the absence of request, that where tho prosecution relies upon circumstantial evidence alone, it must be so. strong as to exclude every other possible theory than that of guilt.
The grant or refusal of a new trial for newly discovered evidence is largely within the trial court’s discretion.
The trial court’s discretion, in the grant or refusal of a new trial for newly discovered evidence, will not be interfered with, except upon clear showing of error.
Where though it would seem to the Supreme Court that the evidence of newly discovered witnesses might be very beneficial to accused, yet it having no way of judging the materiality of such evidence, or the weight that would probably be given to it, not having before it the testimony at the trial, the Supreme Court will not disturb the ruling denying a new trial.
Corson, J., dissenting in part.
(Opinion filed, Jan. 26, 1910.)
Appeal from Circuit Court, Lyman County. Hon. Frank B. Smith, Judge.
Clarence Colvin was convicted of grand larceny, and from the judgment of conviction and order denying a new trial, he appeals.
Affirmed.
Bartine & G. P. Harben, for appellant. S. W. Clark, Atty. Gen., Cloyd D. Sterling, Asst. Atty. Gen., and P. I. Carpenter, State’s Atty., for the state.

Opinion:
WHITING, P. J.
The appellant was convicted in the trial court itpon an information charging him with the crime of grand larceny. From a statement in the abstract it would appear that the evidence on the part of the state was entirely circumstantial; there being no direct testimony connecting the defendant with the crime. The defendant has not seen fit to present the testimony in his abstract. The charge of the court is given in full, which said charge was very complete and fair, unless the court erred in not charging in regard to the weight to- be given to circumstantial evidence. The court called attention to- the fact that an offense may be proven by circumstantial evidence, as well as by direct testimony, explained what was meant by circumstantial evidence, and charged very, fully as to the presumption in favor of the defendant and the rule as to reasonable doubt. The defendant made no request whatever for any further charge, but the following appears in said abstract, immediately after said charg-e: "The counsel for the defendant objects to the instructions of the court to the jury in this: That it wholly fails to instruct the jury that, in case of circumstantial evidence as this, the circumstances tending to show the guilt of the defendant must be so strong as to render it impossible for the jury to arrive at a verdict on any other theory than that of the guilt of the defendant; this being a case where the evidence is solely circumstantial as to the connection of this defendant with the alleged crime."
After conviction the appellant moved for a new trial, assigning as one ground the failure of the court to instruct the jury that, where the prosecution relies upon circumstantial evidence solely, that the evidence must be so 'trong as to exclude every other possible theory than that of his guilt, or else he must be acquitted. And for second ground for a new trial the appellant presented to the court affidavits as to newly discovered evidence which he claims to be material and important, which evidence he alleges he could not, by use of reasonable diligence, have secured and produced at said trial, and which evidence appellant alleges he believes would acquit him of said charge.
On the first ground above stated the only question for our consideration is whether it is the duty of the trial court, of its own motion, to give the instruction asked for; no question being, raised but what such instruction would be proper. Defendant has cited numerous authorities, most of which merely lay down the rule that such instruction would be proper, but only one holding that the failure to give such instruction, when not requested, is error. There are certain states wherein the statutes require the court to give the jury all the law applicable to the case, whether the same shall be requested or not, and it is held that in those states the court is bound to instruct the jury upon the law pertaining to circumstantial evidence, whether a request for such instruction is made or mot. Where the statute does not specifically require the court, on its own volition, to state all the law applicable to the case, but leaves it discretionary to the court in the first place to instruct upon those matters which it believes -to be pertinent to the evidence received in the case, then no error can be claimed for failure of the court to instruct upon any phase of the case, unless the court fails so to instruct after request made for such instruction. State v. Ingram, 16 Kan. 14; Barnett v. Ins. Co., 115 Mich. 247, 73 N. W. 372; Hughes, Instructions to Juries, § 303; Blashficld, Instructions to Juries, § 312. Section 385 of our Code of Criminal Procedure provides as follows: "In charging the jury the court must state to them all matters of law which it thinks necessary for their information in giving their verdict, and if it state the testimon)' in the case it must in addition inform the jury that they are the exclusive judges of all questions of fact. Either party may present to the court in writing a charge and request that it be given. If the court thinks it correct and pertinent it must be given; if not it must be refused." Under this section it is certainly discretionary with the court, where no written requests for instruc'tons are made, to determine what, if any, instructions he will give in relation to the evidence in the case. If the defendant desires any particular instruction, it is incumbent upon him to reduce the same to writing, and in proper time present it to the court for its consideration. There was therefore no reversible error in the court's neglecting to give the instuction referred to.
The affidavits submitted upon the other ground advanced upon motion for new trial would tend to show that, after defendant's conviction, two ' other parties pleaded guilty to committing the same offense, and such parties now stand ready to swear that defendant was in no manner connected with the commission of the oifensc. The granting or refusal of a new trial on newly discovered evidence is largely within the discretion of the trial court, which discretion we do not feel disposed to interfere with, except upon clear showing that such court was in error; and, while it would seem to us that the evidence of these witnesses might be very beneficial to the appellant, yet we have no way of judging the materiality of such evidence, or the weight that would probably be given to it, not having before us the testimony received upon the trial, which testimony must have been in the mind of the trial court at the time it ruled on such motion. AVe therefore, do not feel that this court should disturb the ruling of the trial court upon such motion. Atkinson v. Saltsman, 3 Ind. App. 139, 29 N. E. 435.
The judgment of the trial court and the order, denying a new trial are affirmed.