Court Opinion

ID: 9825417
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 12:54:37.284566+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:40:47.387720
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing.
As stated in the original opinion, this court, as a whole, read this record in its entirety, and, en banc, considered each of the points of decision involved. We regarded then, as now, that the principal question was the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the charge of rape. On this rehearing, after a due and careful further consideration, we have decided we were in error in holding that the evidence adduced upon the trial against this appellant was sufficient to constitute the offense of rape as defined under the law of this state. However reprehensible the conduct of the accused may have been in connection with his afflicted kinswoman of tender years, under this indictment he was required to answer only the accusation contained therein, and if the facts fail to establish the offense as charged, as a matter of law, it is elementary that his conviction therefor would be erroneous and wrongful and the judgment of conviction cannot be permitted to stand.
It is definitely settled by a uniform current of decisions in this and other states that without force, either actual or constructive, there can be no rape; in other words, force is an essential element of rape,- and, as stated, without actual or. constructive force there can be no rape. This oft-decided, well-settled principle of law impels us to the conclusion we now have reached, for the evidence as brought out upon the trial of this defendant fails to establish the use of force, either actual or constructive, in the accomplishment of the alleged sexual intercourse by him with Irma Moore. In thus concluding the emphatic denial of the accused "that he had such sexual intercourse is not involved. From the testimony of Irma Moore herself the conclusion is inevitable. In substance she testified:
That defendant carried her in a room and told her to take off her underclothes and had sexual intercourse with her. She was then asked, “What did you do,” and to this question she replied: “I done nothing.” She was asked: “Did you say anything to him?” A. “No; 'I didn’t say a word.” Again being questioned,“What did you do,” she replied: “I didn’t do nothing; he done it himself.” By the Solicitor: Q. “Did you tell him he could do that?” To which she replied: “Yes, sir.” Upon the question being repeated she replied: “No, sir.” Q. “What did you tell him about it?” A. “I said nothing.” Q. “When he took hold of you did he hold-you tight?” Answer by witness: “Yes, sorter.” Q. “Did he hurt you?” A. “Not much.” ,
This and other testimony of like import by the injured party fails to establish the essential elements of rape. There was no evidence of an outcry or resistance, and in view of this we hold that the affirmative charge requested in writing should have been given and its refusal was error.
*468We regard tlie insistences, on rehearing, as to the other questions decided in the opinion as being without merit and we adhere to each of them, except as hereinabove stated.
The application for rehearing is granted. Judgment of affirmance is set aside. The cause is reversed and remanded.
Application for rehearing granted.
Reversed and remanded.