Court Opinion

ID: 9557593
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 16:53:08.24132+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:03.948412
License: Public Domain

BRETT, Judge
(dissenting).
I am compelled to respectfully dissent to the decision in this case for the reason I believe defendant’s demurrer to the evidence should have been sustained. In overruling the defendant’s demurrer the judge said in part, “You do have some evience that it was coming out of the shower, it is pretty thin . . . ” At that point of the trial there was no direct testimony whatsoever that this defendant participated in the flooding activity alleged in the information. It appears pretty slim to hinge this conviction on the trick question and answer cited in this decision. Prior to answering this last question of the prosecutor, this witness specifically denied that defendant participated in the flooding activity, except that defendant did hand the witness a wash cloth when asked. Defendant also testified that he was fearful of the witness, an ex-convict.
From the record of this trial, it appears that defendant was a victim of circum*161stances because he was confined in the county jail. Allowing defendant that reasonable doubt to which he is entitled, defendant’s statement that he was fearful of the witness should be accepted. Therefore, it is understandable why he would hand the older man a wash cloth, when directed to do so. Therefore, I respectfully dissent to this decision.