Court Opinion

ID: 9846298
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:38:50.067648+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:55.099263
License: Public Domain

*98Brailsford, Justice
(dissenting) :
The salutary rule invoked in affirming these convictions, despite acknowledge trial errors, is settled law, with which I am in full accord. However, I am convinced that this record falls far short of that conclusive proof of guilt, excluding any other rational verdict, upon which, alone, the rule operates. The conviction of the defendant Key rests upon the testimony of one Bennett who witnessed the robbery. The two men had known each other for many years and had had recurrent difficulties. The robbers wore stockings over their heads, and Bennett told the investigating officers that he did not recognize either of them. It was not until some thirty days later, during a conversation with Key, that Bennett mentally identified him as a participant. Bennett reported this conclusion to the police some two weeks later, and the arrests followed.
The case against Thomas rests upon the testimony of two eyewitnesses. A Mrs. Kiker testified that she recognized him as one of the robbers when he “strolled into the courtroom” on the day of the trial, although he was a stranger and she had not seen him between the night of the robbery and his appearance in court. The store operator testified that he recognized Thomas’ voice as that of one of the robbers when, some forty days after the event, he was taken to a jail cell for the purpose of attempting this identification.
The record indicates that both defendants are flagrant and confirmed criminals, but it furnishes no competent evidence of their guilt of the offense charged except that recited above. While admittedly sufficient to raise an issue for the jury, its sufficiency to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is plainly arguable.
Bussey, J., concurs.