Court Opinion

ID: 4999796
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-30 16:44:48.105687+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:17:04.583731
License: Public Domain

MORROW, P. J.
Under an indictment for assault with intent to murder, appellant was convicted of aggravated assault, and his punishment fixed at a fine of $500. Using a pistol, appellant shot and wounded Ed Ayres. With the exception of a criticism of the court’s charge, the record is bare of bills of exceptions. From the facts we learn that it was claimed by the appellant that his tenant, Casey, had abandoned the crop; that Ayres and others went upon the premises and were examining it. Upon observing them, appellant armed himself and went to the’ field, where an altercation took place. Casey and Ayres were brothers-in-Iaw. The testimony of the state’s witnesses is to the effect that the appellant used some very harsh language concerning Casey, and that Ayres told the appellant that he was a liar. A shot was immediately fired by the appellant, preceded by no demonstration of Ayres. According to the appellant’s testimony, the shot was preceded by a demonstration by Ayres, who threw up his hands under the bib of his overalls and took two or three steps in the direction of the appellant. The criticism of the charge was general, save that part which complains that the jury was confined to the consideration of an assault or demonstration threatening “serious” bodily injury or death. The charge of the court, as it appears in the record, is not amenable to this objection. The jury was instructed in appropriate language that, if the shot was fired in real or apparent danger of an assault, threatening “injury” to the appellant, he would be justified in combating it with such force as appeared necessary. The judgment is affirmed.