Court Opinion

ID: 9824777
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 11:23:38.65877+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:40:05.101034
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing.
It was prejudicial error for the trial court to overrule defendant’s objection to that portion of the solicitor’s argument commenting upon the failure of the defendant to produce as a witness in his behalf one Pennington, when the witness was within the jurisdiction of the court, and the evidence was equally accessible to the state and the defendant.
“A presiding judge is called on to perform a most delicate and responsible duty when required to interfere with the freedom of argument, which is the privilege of counsel. Much must be committed to his sound discretion as to the course and character of the debate which should be allowed on the trial of a case, whether civil or criminal. When, however, there occurs an unwarranted abuse of the privilege, it becomes the imperative duty of the judge to restrain and rebuke, and by positive and explicit instructions disabuse, as far as practicable, the minds of the jury of any prejudicial impression. If, on objection being made, he fails to do so, such failure will work a reversal of the judgment, if injustice to the accused is the probable result. Childress v. State, 86 Ala. 77, 5 So. 775.”
It has been repeatedly declared by the Supreme Court and this court that no unfavorable inference may be drawn, and no unfavorable argument of' counsel made, because of the absence of the testimony of a witness, where the evidence also shows such absent witness’ evidence to be equally accessible to both parties. Coosa Portland Cement Co. v. Crankfield, 202 Ala. 369, 80 So. 451; Jordan v. Austin, 161 Ala. 585, 50 So. 70; Hutcherson v. State, 165 Ala. 16, 50 So. 1027, 138 Am. St. Rep. 17; Forman v. State, 190 Ala. 22, 67 So. 583; Manley v. B. R. L. & P. Co., 191 Ala. 531, 68 So. 60; Bates v. Morris, 101 Ala. 282, 13 So. 138; Haynes v. McRae, 101 Ala. 318, 13 So. 270; Crawford v. State, 112 Ala. 1, 21 So. 214; Ethridge v. State, 124 Ala. 106, 27 So. 320; Mann v. State, 134 Ala. 1, 32 So. 704.
The court by overruling defendant’s ■objection did not thereby give its approbation to the argument, but left the statement with *412the jury. Exception was reserved, to'the action of the court. This error was brought to the attention of the court in the defendant’s motion for a new trial, and should have been corrected at that time. Eor the refusal of the court to grant the motion for a new trial, the judgment of conviction must be reversed.
The application for rehearing is granted; the judgment of affirmance is set aside; and the judgment of conviction is reversed, and the cause is remanded.