Morningstar v. State , 52 Ala. 405 ( 1875 )

BRICKELL, C. J.

An indictment must of necessity be certain as to the person charged. The averment of his true name, or that by which he is usually known and called, sufficiently identifies the person, and is the mark of identifying and distinguishing him from all others. If the person charged is not correctly named, he can take advantage of the error only by a plea in abatement, denying the name imputed, and averring his true name. If he does not plead in abatement, he must plead in the name by which he is charged, and he thereby of record admits it as his name, and estops himself from disputing it in that particular cause. When an essential averment of the indictment is the name of a third person, or rather the identity of a third person, the indictment must be as certain as to such person as to the person charged. When an injury to the person or property of another is the offence charged, a material averment of the indictment is the identity of such person. If the name of such person is stated, a variance between the allegation and proof as to sueh name is fatal. If the name is defectively or insufficiently averred, it is a cause of demurrer, motion to quash, or in arrest of judgment, and is fatal on error. Wharton on Crim. Law, § 1820; 1 Bish. Cr. Pr. § 119. In indictments for larceny, the ownership of the property must be averred, and both Christian and surname must be stated, or the omission excused by an averment that the owner is unknown. 2 Bish. Cr. Pr. § 680. There are authorities at common law, that when the name of the person charged is to the grand jurors unknown, a mere averment that it is unknown is not sufficient. It must be accompanied with some other mark of identification, as in one case that he “ was personally brought before the jurors by the keeper of the prison.” 1 Bish. Cr. Pr. § 119; Wharton Cr. Law, § 242. The Code now declares an indictment must be certain as to the person charged; but when his name is unknown to the grand jury, it may be so alleged without further identification (R. C.- § 4113) ; thus rendering sufficient the mere averment that the name of the person charged is unknown-to the grand jurors. The policy of this statute, it was held in Bryant v. State (36 Ala. 270), should be extended to kindred questions, and was extended to an indictment for murder averring the Christian name of the person slain was unknown. We do-not doubt that it should be applied generally to offences against the person or property of a third person.

The indictment avers the property stolen was “ the property of Mrs. George,” omitting her' Christian name. The defendant demurred, and the court erred in overruling the demurrer. The Christian name was as essential as the surname to the identity and certainty of the person.

We must not be understood as departing from, or doubting the correctness of the decision in Thompson v. State, 48 Ala. 165. The loose practice of designating the Christian name of parties, or other persons necessary to be described in judicial proceedings, by initials only, has unfortunately prevailed too long to be discountenanced by judicial decision. Courts would not now tolerate it, if it was being introduced. It cannot authorize the entire omission of the Christian name.

There was no error in the charge given- by the court. Possession of the thing stolen, at the time of the larceny, is in general sufficient evidence of ownership.

The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded, but the appellant must remain in custody until discharged by due course of law.