Court Opinion

ID: 7118200
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 12:35:03.397517+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:14:00.284482
License: Public Domain

Gaynor, J.
The defendant was indicted and convicted of the crime of selling intoxicating liquors in violation of law, and appeals. He bases his right to a reversal upon two grounds:
i. criminal law: lection on- apFirst, that the county attorney, in his opening statement to the jury, said, in substance, and among other things:
“I believe we will be permitted to show that this defendant procured, just prior to that time, or a few days prior to it, consignments of whisky, and that those consignments of whisky were delivered to him at the express office just across the line in Prosper, Minnesota.”
*7932. criminal law: ofiaeóuns”ffks claims made in6 mént.ns s a e *792No evidence was offered by the State to sustain this statement, and it is claimed that the statement was prejudicial to the rights of the defendant. The trouble, however, with defendant’s contention is that no objection was made and no exceptions taken to it at the time; and, although plaintiff filed a motion for a new trial, no reference *793was made to this statement, nor was the conduct of the county attorney called to the attention of the court in any way, or at any time, and the court was not asked to pass upon it. Complaint is made for the first time in this court, and it is not available to the defendant now, nor do we find reversible error in the statement itself. So far as this record shows, the county attorney in good faith believed that such fact was true, and, if true, it was competent to be shown, as sustaining the charge that defendant sold intoxicating liquors. A sale involves a parting with the title and possession of the thing to another. This statement was to the effect that, a few days prior to the time when it is charged the sale wras made, defendant had whisky in his possession, and that consignments of whisky were delivered to him at the express office. This would tend to support and confirm any evidence offered by the State that sales were actually made. The failure of the State to prove all its claims does not make the claim ground for reversal.
3. witnesses : erMcnce.‘ltl°n ‘ It is next contended that the court permitted improper evidence to be introduced upon the trial, over defendant’s objection. J. B. Kingsley was called, on behalf of the State, and. testified that he purchased a quart of whisky in a round bottle from the defendant, and paid him $3.00 for it. He was then asked the question, “Now, did anybody drink any portion of your whisky?” He answered: “Jack Keefe. I drank some of it.” Thereupon, Jack Keefe was called, and, over the objection of the defendant, was permitted to say that, on the day on which it is claimed and on which the evidence tends to show the liquor was purchased, he was with the prosecuting witness, J. B. Kingsley; that Kingsley had a bottle of whisky with him; that he appeared to *794be under the influence of intoxicating liquor; that he (the witness) drank some of it; and that, in his opinion, it was whisky.
This was a circumstance tending to corroborate the witness Kingsley that he purchased a bottle ■ of whisky. This proof tended to show that, right after the time he claims to have purchased liquor from the defendant, he was seen with a bottle of whisky in his possession. It further tended to show that the contents of the bottle were intoxicating, and for that purpose was competent.
It is further claimed that the evidence does not support the verdict. There was positive testimony that the defendant had sold liquor to Kingsley, as charged. We think the evidence amply supports the verdict.
Since we find no reversible error in the case, the cause is — Affirmed.
Ladd, C. J., Preston and Stevens, JJ., concur.