Case Name: VANA v. STATE
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1923-01-10
Citations: 246 S.W. 1034
Docket Number: No. 7261
Parties: VANA v. STATE.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Western Reporter
Volume: 246
Pages: 1034–1034

Head Matter:
VANA v. STATE.
(No. 7261.)
(Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
Jan. 10, 1923.)
1. Criminal law <&wkey;1159(3) — Verdict‘on conflicting evidence binding on appeal.
The verdict on conflicting evidence in a prosecution for aggravated assault is binding on appeal.
2. Criminal law <&wkey;369(!3) — Admitting evidence of extraneous offenses reversible error.
In a prosecution for aggravated assault on female child by fondling her person, it was reversible error to admit evidence to the effect that defendant at other times had made vulgar remarks and had been guilty of indecent conduct in the presence of other female children, in no way connected with the instant offense nor relevant under exceptions to the general rule which excludes evidence of that character.
Appeal from Cameron County Court; O. C. Dancy, Judge.
Rudolph Vana was convicted of aggravated assault, and he appeals.
Reversed and remanded.
R. G. Storey, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.

Opinion:
MORROW, P. J.
Conviction is for aggravated assault; punishment fixed at a fine of $250 and confinement in the county jail for a period of 60 days.
The state's theory and evidence is that the appellant, an adult male, fondled the person of Mary Louise McCollum, a female child. The state's case was controverted by the appellant through his testimony and that of other witnesses. The verdict of the jury, however, settling the conflict in behalf of the state, is conclusive upon this court.
In two bills of exceptions complaint is made of the receipt in evidence, over the appellant's objection, of testimony to the effect that the appellant, at another time, had made vulgar remarks in the presence of a little girl named Josephine Torres, and that he had been guilty of indecent conduct in the presence of another female child by the name of Rachel 'Lopez. This testimony was also controverted. The appellant's objection to its introduction should have been sustained. The evidence related to other transactions, was discrediting to the appellant, and was in no way connected with the offense for which he was on trial; nor was it rendered relevant under any of the exceptions to the general rule which excludes evidence of that character. The principle and authorities mentioned in the case of Sine v. State, 86 Tex. Cr. R. 221, 215 S. W. 967, should control the disposition of this one.
Because of the error mentioned, the judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded.
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