Court Opinion

ID: 3900977
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 09:31:12.850902+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:42:19.690942
License: Public Domain

Appellant was convicted of playing a game of "craps."
1. The affidavit forming the basis of this prosecution contains but one count, and was made by McCain, who testified to facts constituting the offense charged. The witness Skelton testified to a similar offense, occurring at a different time and place. His evidence was objected to, because not coincident with the case made by McCain's evidence.
Whether an election can be required in misdemeanors where the information contains but one count, and the evidence adduced shows more than one similar offense, has been the subject of much diversity of opinion. Street v. The State, 7 Texas Cr. App., 5; 1 Bish. Crim. Proc., sec. 458, et seq., and notes. Under the view taken of this case, we deem it unnecessary to discuss that question, because the defendant did not ask that the State be required to make an election. When an election is to be had, the rule in this State is, that the prosecution, and not the defendant, is authorized to make its selection of the transaction upon which the State will rely for a conviction. Defendant, when authorized, may demand of the State an election, but this can not be done by objection urged to the evidence sought to be introduced. Such would have been the result of sustaining the objection to Skelton's testimony.
2. The defendant's special charge was but a reiteration of the objection above referred to, wherein lie requested the jury be confined to McCain's evidence, to the exclusion of Skelton's testimony, in arriving at their verdict. The court did not err in refusing the charge.
The other points suggested we deem without merit. The judgment is affirmed.
Affirmed.
Judges all present and concurring.