Court Opinion

ID: 5610699
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-11 03:58:46.235649+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:37:05.965594
License: Public Domain

. Harwell, J,
(After stating the foregoing facts.) It is insisted that the conViction on the second count—the count charging the sale of intoxicating liquor—is inconsistent with the acquittal on the first count, charging the accused with having intoxicating liquor in his possession and control, and that the verdict can1 not stand and no legal sentence can be entered thereon. While this contention is ingenious, we can not agree with the able counsel for plaintiff in error. “If defendant is charged with separate and distinct crimes, although of a similar character, in two or more counts, a verdict of acquittal on one or more counts and conviction on the others is not inconsistent.” 12 Cyc. 695 (v). In Griffin v. State, 18 Ohio St. 444, it is said by the court: “This is a technical objection, and a technical answer-to it is sufficient. As we have already said, the theory of the law is that each count of the indictment charges a distinct offense; hence it follows that the finding of the jury as to a particular count is independent, of and unaffected by the finding upon another count.” In Weinecke v. State, 34 Neb. 14 (51 N. W. 310), that court said: “The evidence would have justified a conviction under both counts of the information. Both offenses were committed by the same person and at the same/time. It is, indeed, unexplainable how the jury arrived at the verdict returned. As a separate offense is charged in each count, the verdict is not void. The defendant can not complain because he was acquitted of the first offense. The error was in his favor. State v. Turner, 6 Baxt. 201.” See also Com. v. Lowrey, 159 Mass. 62 (34 N. E. 81); Com. v. Ruisseau, 140 Mass. 363 (5 N. E. 166); Pettes v. Com. 126 Mass. 242. “Where distinct offenses are charged in separate counts . . there may b'e ah .-acquittal on some counts and a conviction or disagreement on others.” 2 Bishop’s New Crim. Proc. § 1015 a (4) (p. 884), *251and cases cited. See also Hathcock v. State, 88 Ga. 91 (2) (13 S. E. 959); Tooke v. State, 4 Ga. App. 495 (3-d) (61 S. E. 917).
The acquittal of the defendant on the first , count is really in Ms favor, as the jury were authorized under the evidence to convict him also on that count. We have no means of knowing what led the jury to find as they did, and it would serve no useful purpose to speculate thereon. The offenses charged in the two counts are separate and distinct, and under the authorities above cited the court did not err in overruling the motion to arrest the judgment. The other headnotes need no elaboration. The verdict was authorized by the evidence, and the judgment is

Affirmed.

Broyles, P. J., and, Bloodworth, J., concur.