Court Opinion

ID: 9809518
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 21:16:08.854598+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:35:28.035243
License: Public Domain

Stacy, C. J.,
concurs in result on the ground that the record discloses no evidence of scienter, such as the statute requires. S. v. Yarboro, 194 N. C., 498, 140 S. E., 216.
Of course a principal is liable, criminally as well as civilly, for the acts of his agent to which he is privy, assents to, encourages, or aids and abets, in such a way as to involve him morally in the guilt of the agent’s misdoings. S R. C. L., 66; S. v. Parris, 181 N. C., 585, 107 S. E., 306; S. v. Kittelle, 110 N. C., 560, 15 S. E., 103. But the evidence in the instant case is lacking as to the defendant’s knowledge of insufficient funds on deposit in or want of credit with the bank or depository with which to pay the check in question upon presentation— a vital and necessary ingredient of the offense. S. v. Yarboro, supra.
True, the record contains the following entry: “It was admitted that at the time the check was drawn, the defendant did not have sufficient funds in the bank to pay the same and had not made arrangements with the bank to pay the check upon presentation.” But this admission falls short of establishing guilty knowledge on the part of the defendant at the time the check in question was issued and delivered to Gaskill Bros. Nor is it sufficient to warrant the jury in finding this crucial fact, and thus bridge the hiatus in the State’s case. S. v. Johnson, ante, 429.
*581The evidence raises a suspicion, somewhat strong perhaps, -of the defendant’s guilt, but more is required in a criminal prosecution to carry the case to the jury. S. v. Battle, 198 N. C., 379, 151 S. E., 927; S. v. Montague, 195 N. C., 20, 141 S. E., 285.