Court Opinion

ID: 6475053
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-26 22:34:18.967658+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:53:57.098226
License: Public Domain

ROSS, J.
— The particular clause of the prohibition law defendant was charged with violating is found in section 2, chapter 63, Laws of 1917, and reads as follows:
li . . . And it shall be unlawful for any person to transport or cause to be transported, within the state of Arizona any ale, wine, beer or any malt, vinous or spirituous liquors or any mixture or preparation of a like nature, or any intoxicating liquors of any kind. ...”
The case was tried without a jury, defendant having in open court waived a jury trial.
The appellant questions the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the conviction, and this is the only point we are asked to pass upon. He was arrested at night-time by some deputy sheriffs of Graham county, just as he, one H. D. Tilley, and a Mexican were about to take a half-gallon of moonshine liquor from its hiding place near some unoccupied adobe building’s in the town of Solomonville. Defendant explained his connection therewith as one of accommodation, that is, that Tilley wanted some whisky and asked him if he had any; that he replied that he did not have, but *180might find a man who did have; that he “rustled” around, and found a Mexican who said he- had sold1 out and would have to go on horseback and get some, which he did; and that when arrested he was going with Tilley and the Mexican to where the product was left by the latter; that he was not interested in the whisky, was to get nothing for his services, and did not know the Mexican.
Tilley’s version was that he was at a Mexican dance at Solomonville and wanted a drink; that he was introduced to defendant, who said:
“He would have to take a horse and go up the road a piece, and that as soon as he got it down there he would hide it some place, and he would come up there and get me, and we would go and get it. He said it would cost me $10 for a half gallon. I agreed to pay him the $10.”
The officers saw someone on horseback deposit the whisky just a few minutes before the arrest. It was in five bottles in a gunny sack. Just as the Mexican picked up the sack the officers appeared on the scene and arrested the defendant. The Mexican ran away and was never apprehended.
If defendant was only playing the friendly part of bringing the seller and buyer together, he would not be guilty of transporting or causing to be transported liquor in Arizona, unless it was shown that he personally transported it; but if, on the other hand, he was the seller, or interested with the seller in making the sale, he would be guilty, even though he may never have had it in his possession. Tilley’s testimony strongly tended to show defendant was interested in the transaction as a seller, and the court must have so found. That fact being determined against defendant, it would make no difference whether he or the Mexican transported it, as both would be principals and equally guilty.
*181We conclude the evidence amply sustains the verdict and judgment of conviction, and accordingly such judgment is affirmed.
McALISTER, C. J., and LYMAN, J., concur.