Court Opinion

ID: 9538231
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 07:32:55.544919+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:57:40.991561
License: Public Domain

MR. JUSTICE DAYIS:
(concurring specially).
The order granting a new trial below is general and was made by the district judge who presided at the trial, saw the witnesses and their demeanor on the stand, and heard their testimony given. In these circumstances this court on this record may not reverse that order, as I see the case. State v. Schoenborn, 55 Mont. 517, 179 Pac. 294. Accordingly I affirm the order for a new trial from which this appeal is taken.
But I do not agree with the majority that the evidence before the jury is insufficient to corroborate the testimony of the alleged accomplice consistent with R.C.M. 1947, section 94-7220. In other words, in my opinion there is competent, credible and substantial evidence in this record which tends to connect the defendant with the commission of the offense charged without the aid of the testimony of the boy, who was at the trial court charged an accomplice. Hence I think the issue of the defendant’s guilt or innocence upon the record before me is for the jury, and that the case should be submitted to them. Conversely, upon that evidence I think the trial court would be in error were he to take the case from the jury upon a retrial of the cause. Accordingly, insofar as the court’s opinion conflicts with my view upon this issue, I dissent.