Court Opinion

ID: 9764630
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 03:33:48.479089+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:59.002170
License: Public Domain

ON state’s motion for rehearing.
*203DAVIDSON, Judge.
The state insists that because of the overwhelming evidence of appellant’s guilt of the crime of rape by force the argument of state’s counsel should not be held to be reversible error.
Generally speaking, argument which does not violate a mandatory statute is not reversible error unless calculated to prejudice the rights of the accused. We have given that rule controlling effect in death penalty cases wherein state’s argument was improper. Todd v. State, 93 Tex. Cr. R. 553, 248 S. W. 695; Silver v. State, 110 Tex. Cr. R. 512, 8 S. W. 2d 144.
Here, the evidence of the state was conclusive, but appellant denied his guilt and testified to an alibi in which he was corroborated by the testimony of witnesses and members of his race. In addition, a witness — a member of the colored race— testified to facts tending to show that the prosecutrix had identified another than appellant as her assailant.
The argument of state’s counsel was sufficient to be construed as applying not only to the witness mentioned but to other witnesses testifying in behalf of the appellant.
Under the circumstances here presented, we are unable to conclude that appellant was not prejudiced by the argument made. We remain convinced of the correctness of our original conclusion.
Accordingly, the state’s motion for rehearing is overruled.
Opinion approved by the court.