Court Opinion

ID: 3232402
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-05 16:07:40.621474+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:56:28.184758
License: Public Domain

The defendant, Frank Watson, and one Albert Dunson, were jointly indicted for burglary and grand larceny, the indictment containing two counts, one charging burglary and one grand larceny. A severance was ordered, and a general verdict of guilty was rendered against the defendant.
The evidence for the state tended to show that the store of one Gus Bryan was broken into and a trunk of pistols taken therefrom; that on the evening before the alleged burglary the defendant was observed looking in the show window of the store at some pistols. There was evidence of a confession by defendant that he and another had broken into the store and had taken a trunk containing pistols therefrom. The evidence for the defendant consisted chiefly of a denial of any participation in the offense, and also a denial of any confession on his part.
On cross-examination Gus Bryan, a witness for the state, was asked, "Did you ask Dunson anything about it?" He answered, "Yes, sir." He was then asked, "What did he say?" Objection of the state to this question was sustained, and defendant excepted. Dunson was jointly indicted with the defendant for the same offense, but was not on trial at the time, and it was not shown that the statement inquired about was made in the presence of the defendant. The question called for hearsay testimony, and the objection was properly sustained. Admissions of guilt of third persons unsworn to are within the rule prohibiting hearsay evidence. Owensby v. State, 82 Ala. 63, 2 So. 764; West v. State,76 Ala. 98; Ott v. State, 160 Ala. 29, 49 So. 810.
The whereabouts of Albert Dunson was not relevant to any issue in the case. Moreover, such evidence was afterwards brought out by the defendant and he had the full benefit thereof. Error, if any, in excluding evidence is cured by the subsequent admission thereof. Utreinor v. State, 146 Ala. 26, 41 So. 285; Kirby v. State, 151 Ala. 66, 44 So. 38; Roden v. State, 3 Ala. App. 202,58 So. 72.
Gus Bryan, a state's witness, was recalled for further cross-examination by the defendant, and, after testifying that he went before the grand jury in 1920 when the indictment was found, was asked by counsel *Page 374 
for defendant: (1) "Now did you tell the grand jury how many pistols there were?" also (2) "You told the grand jury the kind of store this was, did you?" To which he replied, "I did." Counsel for defendant asked the witness: (3) "Did you tell the grand jury this was a dry goods store?" The court sustained the state's objection to each of the questions numbered 1 and 3, and excluded the answer to question numbered 2, and to each ruling of the court the defendant excepted.
A wide latitude is allowed in the cross-examination of witnesses for the purpose of testing their accuracy, their recollection and their means of knowledge of the facts about which they testify. The extent of the cross-examination is largely in the discretion of the trial court, and on appeal the court will not be put in error if it affirmatively appears that this discretion was not abused, and that the party complaining was not injured in his substantial rights. In the instant case there was neither abuse of the discretion of the court nor injury to the substantial rights of the defendant. Furthermore, the defendant should make known to the trial court the evidence sought to be elicited by the questions, in order that the court may determine whether the evidence was relevant and competent. 7 Mayf. Dig. p. 348.
The judgment entry recites after a verdict of guilty as charged in the indictment is shown, that "it was therefore ordered and adjudged by the court that the defendant, Frank Watson, is guilty as charged in the indictment, of burglary," etc. Following the judgment of conviction the entry recites a valid judgment of sentence in accordance with the verdict of the jury. The addition of the words "of burglary" in the judgment entry was mere surplusage. Davis v. State, 136 Ala. 20, 33 So. 817; Bland v. State, 75 Ala. 574.
Moreover, a valid judgment of sentence is shown by the record and was a sufficient judgment of guilt. Ex parte State, Hardeman v. State, 202 Ala. 694, 81 So. 656; Wells v. State, 19 Ala. App. 403,97 So. 681.
There was sufficient evidence to submit to the jury the question of guilt vel non of the defendant. Where the evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction under one count of the indictment, but not under another count, and a general verdict of guilt is rendered, the verdict is referable to the count sustained by the evidence.
The court did not err in the refusal of charges 1, 2, and 3, the general charge for the defendant to the indictment, and to each count of the indictment.
This opinion is substituted for the original opinion. The application for rehearing is overruled, and the judgment of the circuit court stands affirmed.