Court Opinion

ID: 3235463
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-05 16:10:08.598652+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:40:22.426955
License: Public Domain

Count 2 of the indictment under which this defendant was convicted, charged that he did sell, give away, or have in possession a still, apparatus, appliance, or a device or substitute for a still, apparatus, or appliance, for the purpose of manufacturing prohibited liquors or *Page 358 
beverages contrary to law, etc. The sufficiency of this count was challenged by demurrer; the point being made that it failed to charge an indictable offense, for the reason the words "to be used," as they appear in the statute, were left out.
There can be no doubt that the phrase contained in the statute, "to be used for the purpose of manufacturing any prohibited liquors or beverages," is an essential ingredient, or, as sometimes stated, a constituent element, of the offense denounced by this statute. But we think the indictment sufficiently charges this feature of the statute and that the allegation that Cheatham Reese did sell, give away, or have in his possession a still, apparatus, appliance, or device, or substitute for a still, apparatus, or appliance, for the purpose of manufacturing prohibited liquors or beverages, etc., is equivalent to having stated that said still, appliance, etc., was to be used for the purpose designed.
Words used in a statute to define an offense need not be strictly pursued in the indictment. It is sufficient to use other words which convey the same meaning, and after a careful consideration of this question we are unable to find any material distinction between the words of the statute and those used in the indictment. We think they convey the same meaning, and are therefore sufficient. We are of the opinion, however, that, while this is true, it would have been the better practice for the indictment to have followed the exact words of the statute. At least this would have resulted in saving the time of the trial court and this court in passing upon a question thus easy to avoid.
The main questions presented as to the rulings of the court upon the testimony have been decided adversely to the contention of the defendant in the case of Mary Banks v. State, post, p. 376, 93 So. 293.
The affirmative charge was promptly refused, as there was some evidence from which the jury would be justified in the verdict rendered.
The record appears free from error, and the judgement of the lower court is affirmed. Holloway v. State, post, p. 392,92 So. 78.
Affirmed.