Court Opinion

ID: 9664770
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 00:29:12.205382+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:09.930633
License: Public Domain

MORRISON, Presiding Judge,
dissenting.
I agree with my brethren that the failure of the trial court to charge the jury concerning the testimony of Shelton and Johnson is a matter of controlling importance. By fuller objection than was made in the recent case of Ernster v. State, 164 Texas Cr. Rep. 422, 308 S.W. 2d 33, this defect in the charge was called to the trial court’s attention. In Ernster we reviewed the holdings of this court beginning with Taylor v. State, 50 Texas Cr. Rep. 381, 97 S.W. 474, decided in 1906, and the consistent adherence through the years to the rule therein expressed. By authority of Ernster and the case there cited, this case should be reversed.
I am further of the opinion that the requested charge should have been given in connection with the testimony of the witness Brewer. Impeachment testimony should be limited whenever it appears that it may be used to establish the guilt of the accused. 1 Branch’s Ann. P.C., 2nd Ed., sec. 202.3, p. 325.
I respectfully dissent.