Court Opinion

ID: 6547839
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-19 22:21:06.904444+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:56:01.184778
License: Public Domain

McCulroch, C. J. Appellant’s premises in the city of Tort Smith were, in September, 1909, raided under a search warrant, issued under the “blind tiger” statute, and about two dozen bottles of beer were found in the house. The character of the premises is not disclosed in the record, further than by the statement of one of the witnesses that the beer was found in the ice box in the dining room. In the trial of appellant in the circuit court for violation of the “blind tiger” statute, it was proved by the testimony of the raiding officers that' the beer was found by them as indicated above, and that appellant admitted to them that she had a United States internal revenue license (so-called), or special tax stamp, denoting the payment of a special tax on liquor. The officers did not find the license or special tax stamp in the house, but testified that they asked appellant to produce it, and she declined to do so. This was all the testimony introduced which was material to the issue, and appellant rested her case without introducing any testimony. The court, among othei instructions, gave one over appellant’s objection telling the jury that “if the defendant had a government license that was in effect at that time, one that had not expired, that would be prima facie evidence against her.” The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and judgment was entered accordingly; and appellant brings the case here for review. The case is controlled by Peyton v. State, 83 Ark. 102, and Appling v. State, 88 Ark. 393. The mere issuance of a Federal stamp tax to one accused under the “blind tiger” statute of the clandestine sale of liquor does not make a prima facie case of guilt of a violation of -the statute, as it reads that if the same “be found therein” — that is to say,, if it be found in the raided premises — it makes a prima facie case of guilt. The having of such a license or tax receipt may be received in evidence as indicating the purpose for which the liquor was held; but its possession does not make out a prima facie case unless it is found oji the premises owned or controlled by the accused. Appling v. State, supra. The court therefore erred in instructing the jury that if the defendant had a government license it would be prima facie evidence against her. An instruction as to a prima facie case by reason of the Federal tax stamp would have been improper in this case, for there is no evidence that any such stamp was found. The most that the evidence established is that she had a stamp. There was enough evidence to1 go to the jury on the prima facie case established by reason of the finding of the liquor on the premises, but the jury may, under the circumstances, have believed that she kept the liquor for private use and not for sale, and the prima facie case in that respect might have been overcome. The instruction was therefore prejudicial. Reversed and remanded for new trial.