Opinion ID: 1914247
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: appellants' motion for a directed verdict and peremptory instruction of acquittal:

Text: As hereinbefore set out, the trial of the cause was had at the April 1981 term of Circuit Court in Holmes County, several months after the evidentiary hearing on the motion to quash the indictment. The evidence at the trial was not as lengthy as the evidence on the motion. Also, some witnesses were not called and some that did not testify on the motion were called. In considering the appeal from this point on, we consider only the proceedings at the jury trial and post-trial proceedings. For what it is worth, it is noted that a different trial judge presided at the jury trial from the one who heard the evidence on the motion to quash the indictment. The first witness called by the state after selection of the jury was City Clerk Jewell McPhail. She testified that altogether she had been city clerk for about twelve years and was so acting on April 30, 1980. She introduced the minutes that were typed subsequent to the special meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen. These minutes showed that all six officials were present. Regarding the appointment of a chief of police, this action was taken after the mayor and board went into executive session. There was a motion by Alderman Hayes to hire Jim Andrews as police chief, with his service to begin at once. There was a second by Alderman Granderson and a third by Alderman Gibson. The minutes were signed by these three aldermen. McPhail testified that the majority of the board voted to hire a police chief at the special meeting and a salary of $700 per month set. This was reflected in the minutes. McPhail testified that three aldermen voted yes and two voted no. The ones who voted yes were the three set out above. The two voting no were Jesse Banks and one of the appellants, David McLaurin. McPhail testified that afterwards, appellant Carthan twice made a statement that Mr. Andrews better not be caught on the streets of Tchula with a gun. McPhail further testified that it would have been impossible for Andrews to have secured a bond that night and that no oath was administered to him in her presence. In regard to the failure of the mayor's name to be signed to the minutes, McPhail testified that he had signed hardly any of the minutes since she had been back to work as of September 1979. On cross examination as to why the nay votes were not typed on the minutes and notation that the motion was carried, McPhail stated that she did not know why this did not appear, but that the vote on the motion occurred. Witness Nathaniel McCoy testified that on the night of April 30, 1980, he passed by in his car Mayor Carthan's place of business and saw the mayor and the group out in front talking. He drove on down to town hall and told Andrews and Harris about the men gathering. He then got back in his car and had not left when the appellants came down and broke in, just push into city hall. He testified the men had guns, pistols and rifles. The witness heard a gunshot, but he did not go inside city hall. He stated that Mayor Carthan was in front of the group. They all just tried to go in there at one time. Witness Morris Davenport testified that on the night in question he was in the city hall waiting on a bus to go to Jackson to visit his sick wife. He saw the men coming in the door with guns, so he reached and got his suitcase and went out of the building. He testified he was scared. The state next called witness Jim Andrews. Prior to Andrews taking the stand, the attorney for appellants, out of the presence of the jury, and in the court's chambers made the following motion. Your Honor, we would like to move at this time that the witness Mr. Jim Andrews, which is the affiant under another charge which we are not trying here today, we would like to have a motion limiting his testimony to the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations against James Harris. The potential for prejudice in this matter is so great that we felt compelled to make this motion outside the hearing of the jury. The court sustained this motion and instructed the attorneys to instruct witness Andrews to relate only what occurred in regard to James Harris. Andrews testified that at about 9 p.m. he was requested to come to where the three aldermen were who voted to make him police chief, and that he went there and discussed with them his appointment. All three of the aldermen were present. He was informed that he was police chief as of the adjournment of the special meeting. Andrews testified that he had been chief of police for ten years, from 1968 to 1978; and he still had his uniform and service revolver. He put on his uniform, armed himself and went to town hall. He testified that he informed Dale about the situation and that Dale left the city hall stating, you haven't heard the last of this, or something similar. Andrews then sent J.T. Rhyne, town night watchman, to find Officer James Harris to see if he would come and take the 11 to 7 shift. Harris came between 11:30 and 12 p.m. Andrews further testified that the mayor, leading the other appellants, bursted in the front door with rifles, shotguns and pistols and took over the three, that is, Andrews, Harris and Rhyne. Andrews testified that Harris was in the small back room trying to call the sheriff for assistance; that the mayor got him out of the room and pointed a pistol at Harris' head and that is all I remember. Andrews testified that he did not have an opportunity to secure a bond or take an oath on the night of the 30th, but he took his oath the next day by signing a form that was already filled in at the town hall. Andrews testified that James Harris was on duty at the time the incidents occurred. At the time he was in the radio and telephone room, where an officer was required to be, and was engaged in trying to locate the sheriff. Harris had been a police officer continuously for four or five years. Andrews further testified he considered himself the duly authorized city police chief because of the directions of the majority of the board of aldermen following the special meeting. James Harris testified that he had been a police officer for the Town of Tchula over four years continuously. He testified that after Andrews was told by the three aldermen of his new job, he went home to get his equipment and his uniform. He had not completed these actions when Officer Rhyne knocked on the door and told him to come quickly that there was going to be trouble and he was needed. Harris stated about midnight he was in the small back room as he had come on duty at 11 p.m. He related about the mayor and the group coming in with shotguns, pistols and rifles while he was in the back room. The group had their weapons in their hands when they came in. He stated Andrews requested that the mayor sit down and talk the matter over. Thereafter appellant Callahan put his gun in the back room and ordered whoever was in there to come out with their hands up. Harris stated he put his hands up and started walking out the door. Just as he stepped out the door, he saw the mayor aim his pistol at his head. He thought he would be dead in a minute and was afraid. He stated that the mayor pulled him around and that at that time he was struck twice, once on the shoulder and once on the arm. He stated he did not attempt to pull his gun, but that during one of the times he was struck his gun fell from its holster to the floor. Harris did not know which of the group struck him, as he had been pulled around. On cross examination Harris testified that he understood Andrews to have been made chief of police because the three members of the Board of Aldermen told him so. Harris testified positively that he was working on the night of April 30 and that he was on duty at the time the incident occurred. The state rested its case. The first witness called by the appellants was Johnny B. Dale, one of the appellants. He testified that at no time during the night of April 30 did he hit, point a gun at, or otherwise assault James Harris. On cross examination, an instrument was shown Dale purported to be from the mayor dated April 29, 1980, appointing Dale acting police chief. He stated a couple of days before the incidents, he was so informed by the mayor. Dale testified that when the group went to the town hall, we went inside city hall and the mayor started talking with Mr. Andrews. He told Mr. Andrews he had not been elected chief of police or was not a police officer and to go home and let the board settle it. It wasn't up to the police officers, let the board settle it. So we left. Dale denied that there was an altercation or a scuffle or some sort of involvement between the people who were present, except One. He testified he was present when Harris came out of the back room. He did not know whether he had his hands up or not. He did not see the mayor or Harris, as at that minute his attention was focused on Mr. Andrews. The final witness introduced by appellants was Eddie James Carthan, one of the appellants. He testified he was elected mayor of the Town of Tchula in June 1977. He recalled the special called meeting of the board of aldermen. The items listed on the special call were concerning a mayor protem and hiring a chief of police. No official action was taken on these items. He testified that any three of the aldermen could sign the minutes. He stated that the meeting was not adjourned, but that they had dispersed. He advised Dale that he would remain acting chief of police until the board met and resolved the issue. He related calling the auxiliary policemen and stated that when they went to the city hall he was talking to Andrews when he pulled a gun on me. He stated further after the commotion had ended, there was some noise in the back and someone said `it's someone in the back' and he was asked to come out of the back. Harris came out of the back, according to Carthan, and when asked to give the mayor his equipment, he did so and went home. Carthan denied pointing a gun at Harris or hitting him. This is the first time I had knowledge of him being assaulted. He stated that Harris was not on duty at the time. On cross examination Carthan again related his action in getting the armed group together. Upon being questioned about confusion and disagreements at the board meeting that night and at other meetings, he said, We always have had disagreements. Carthan testified that the meeting was called for the purpose of hiring someone to serve as chief of police but they did not hire anyone, and that we did not even make it to that subject. Carthan admitted on cross examination that Harris would have the right to perform duties other than whatever the schedule called for.