Court Opinion

ID: 3921197
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 09:48:18.640349+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:54:25.069491
License: Public Domain

This appeal is from a conviction had in the County Court of Upshur County wherein appellant was found guilty of selling intoxicating liquors in said county in violation of the local option law.
A number of errors are assigned, many of which we deem it unnecessary to discuss. The evidence is not very satisfactory and yet we are scarcely prepared to hold that it is insufficient. The main witness for the State was evidently hostile and reluctant to testify to the real facts. He does state, however, that in the fall of 1906 "I bought something to drink from him (appellant) in Big Sandy." He says further: "I got a bottle from Roscoe Trinkle there in that room; I do not know how much I paid for it, I do not know whether I gave him the money or put it on the box or what. I do not remember paying Roscoe Trinkle anything for the bottle I got, but I do remember getting some money out of my pocket. I got the money out of my pocket, I suppose, to pay for it, but I do not remember paying him anything, but my best judgment is that the money went to pay for the bottle." As to what it was he bought he says: "I suppose it was whisky in the bottle, but I have tasted better drinks called whisky than that was." Again, he says: "My best judgment was that it was a kind of strong drink, maybe cider. My best judgment was that it was whisky, of course; I would not swear positively that it was whisky." Evidently when he uses the words "best judgment" and "suppose" it is to be understood in the sense of "my recollection," and as expressing a belief. In addition to the evidence of this witness, the State introduced proof of Internal Revenue License issued to appellant covering the period at which the sale was made. Most of the motion embraces objections to the local option election held in Upshur County. In the absence of a contest the regularity of such election is to be assumed, and it can not be raised as is here attempted. The evidence, as stated, is not very satisfactory, but under all the circumstances is, we believe, sufficient to sustain the conviction. *Page 569 
None of the other matters raised are deemed to be of sufficient importance to require discussion. Finding no error in the judgment of the court below, it is ordered that the same be and it is hereby in all things affirmed.
Affirmed.
                          ON REHEARING.                        January 12, 1910.