Court Opinion

ID: 3250291
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-05 16:21:22.327853+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:38.113652
License: Public Domain

Section 4657 of the Code of 1923 provides that the unexplained possession of any part or parts of any still, or any device or substitute therefor, commonly, or generally used for, or that is suitable to be used in, the manufacture of prohibited liquors and beverages, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the preceding section *Page 455 
(4656). The evidence for the state tended to prove that the "lard can" and cap found in defendant's possession were commonly used for the purposes denounced by the statute. If the jury believed the state's evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, they could from the possession of the lard can and cap found, together with the possession of two one-half barrels of mash, ready for distillation, legally draw the inference that defendant was in possession of the entire and complete still. Berry v. State, 20 Ala. App. 102, 100 So. 922; Harvey v. State,20 Ala. App. 264, 101 So. 512.
We are impressed with the persuasive explanation of defendant's testimony relative to the possession, but the question of guilt under the indictment was one of fact for the jury, and not for this court.
The judgment is affirmed.
Affirmed.