Court Opinion

ID: 7808684
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-07 17:09:46.769821+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:30:24.251541
License: Public Domain

Smith, J. Appellant was convicted under an indictment which alleged that he had sold one quart of alcoholic liquors to one Robert Edwards, while the proof showed the sale of two half-pint bottles of whiskey. Upon the trial the court instructed the jury, over appellant’s objection, that it was immaterial whether the amount sold was a pint, quart, or a half-pint, provided the jury found appellant had sold some quantity. This appeal questions only the correctness of this instruction. Appellant says it is erroneous because there is a variance between the allegation of the indictment and the proof. The authorities, however, hold to the contrary. In 13 Encyclopedia of Evidence, under the title of Variance, and the subhead of Offenses Relating to Intoxicating Liquors, p. 732, it is said: “An allegation as to the quantity sold need not be proved as laid, unless the quantity constitutes an essential element of the crime.” The note to this text cites the following cases which support it: State v. Connell, 38 N. H. 81; State v. Cooper, 16 Mo. 551; State v. Andrews, 28 Mo. 17; State v. Moore, 14 N. H. 451; Brock v. Commonwealth, 6 Va. 634; Commonwealth v. Buck, 12 Metcalf (53 Mass.) 524. In addition, we are cited to the case of State v. Tisdale, 54 Minn. 105, and McClain on Criminal Law, see. 1273, which cites other cases. This prosecution was had under Act No. 30 of the Acts of 1915, p. 98, section 2, of which reads as follows: “Sec. 2. After January 1, 1916, it’shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to manufacture, sell or give away, or be interested, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture, Sale or giving away of any alcoholic vinous,' malt, spirituous or fermented liquors or any compound or preparation thereof, commonly called tonics, bitters or medicated liquors within the State of Arkansas.” It will be observed that the Act prohibits the sale or giving away “of any alcoholic, vinous, malt, spirituous or fermented liquors or any compound or preparation thereof, commonly called tonics, bitters or medicated liquors.” The quantity sold is immaterial. No error was committed, therefore, in giving this instruction, and the judgment is affirmed.