State v. Harrell ( 1927 )

November 15, 1927. The opinion of the Court was delivered by The defendants Wallace Harrell, Jim Shirley, and Murray Williams were indicted in the Court of General Sessions for Darlington County for violation of the prohibition law (Cr. Code, 1922, § 820 et seq., as amended) under five counts.

The case came on for trial before his Honor, Judge W.H. Townsend, and a jury, at Darlington, February 9, 1926. His Honor, the presiding Judge, directed a verdict of acquittal as to all counts of the indictment except two, the charge of distilling and manufacturing, contained in the first count, and the charge of transporting whisky, contained in the fourth count. The defendants were convicted on the fourth count and sentenced to serve on the County chain gang for a period for six months, or for a like period at hard labor in the State penitentiary. From the verdict and sentence imposed thereon, the defendants have appealed to this Court, imputing error to his Honor, the presiding Judge, in the particulars set out under the several exceptions, which, together with the charge, will be reported.

The exceptions raise five questions; the first being: Was there any evidence sufficient to support the verdict of guilty on the charge of transporting? An examination of the record discloses testimony tending to show that on the night of April 27, 1925, having located a distilling outfit in Lynch's Creek, in Darlington County, Mr Segars, the County Rural Policeman of Darlington County, the Sheriff, and several deputies, took their position at the edge of this creek or swamp, near a path which led to the still in the creek, a distance of 200 yards away. About 12 o'clock that night, the defendants came out of the swamp, passing near by the rural policeman, Mr. Segars, and the other with him. One of the defendants, Wallace Harrell, carrying a lantern, was leading the way. Next to Harrell was the defendant Jim Shirley, with a torch of fire in his hand, and the defendant Murray Williams followed closely behind. Each of these defendants carried a sack containing three gallons of corn whisky, which was captured as the defendants fled on being halted. Mr. Segars testified positively that he recognized each of the defendants at the time, stating that he was in two steps of them when they passed him, that he was well acquainted with them and recognized each of them. After the defendants fled, Mr. Segars and the others of the party went back to the still, to which place the path led from the spot the defendants were seen, and found the still set up and in operation, and also found a small quantity of whiskey at the still. We think this evidence ample to support the verdict of guilty on the charge of transportation.

The second question raised by the exceptions, stated in the language of appellants' counsel, is: "Having held that there was no evidence tending to show that the defendants received whiskey for unlawful use, was it error to refuse to hold that there was no evidence of transportation?" As stated above, in our consideration of the first question, it clearly appears that the evidence was sufficient to support the verdict of guilty on the charge of transporting. In our opinion, under the testimony, the case should have been submitted to the jury on the charge of receiving as well as on the charge of transporting; the evidence being sufficient to base a conviction on both of these charges, and, because the presiding judge saw fit not to submit to the jury the charge on receiving, is no ground of appeal, for the defendants were not prejudiced but benefitted by this act.

The third question raised by the exceptions is: "Did his Honor, the presiding Judge, err in admitting, over the objection of the defendant Wallace Harrell, the following testimony:

"Mr. Hough. Q. Well, I can't get your sox off, Mr. Harrell; you did not take them off before the sheriff? A. No, sir.

"Q. You deny that; would you mind showing your feet today? A. No, sir.

"Q. I would like to see them if you don't mind. (Objected to.)

"The Court: It is not for you to object. There is no objection to it, if he does not object. Do you object to doing it? You don't have to.

"Q. Do you want to? A. I would not show it; the sheriff has done looked at it.

"Q. You refuse to show it; did he see it with the sox off? A. No, sir —"

As we view the testimony, there is nothing to indicate that the defendant was compelled to testify against himself. In view of the full and able discussion of the law on this question by Mr. Justice Cothran in the opinion rendered in the recent case of State v. Griffin, 129 S.C. 200;124 S.E., 81; 35 A.L.R., 1227, we consider a discussion of the law on the subject at this time unnecessary. The opinion in that case and the authorities cited thereunder show that the position of counsel is not tenable.

Appellants make the further contention that the cross-examination of this witness, the defendant Harrell, as revealed in the testimony quoted, was so prejudicial as to deprive him of a fair and impartial trial. We do not accept this view, and think there is nothing disclosed in the record that could be construed as depriving the defendant of a fair and impartial trial.

The fourth question raised complains of the presiding Judge committing error in failing to declare the law as to the several counts of the indictment and especially as to the count charging transportation. There were only two counts submitted to the jury, a verdict of acquittal having been directed on all of the other counts. Therefore, there could be no reason for declaring the law as to any of the counts except the first and fourth, those submitted to the jury, charging distilling and transportation, respectively. The jury having rendered a verdict of guilty on the fourth count only, the appellants cannot complain with reference to the law not having been declared as to the first count, and appellants will be heard only with reference to the fourth count, the count on which they were convicted, that charging transportation of whisky. While under the Constitution, as contended by appellants, it is the duty of the presiding Judge to declare the law governing questions submitted to the pury, and it does not appear from the record in the case that his Honor, the presiding Judge, gave to the jury a definition of the term "transporting" or that he went into an explanation as to what acts were necessary to be proven in order for the defendants to be convicted on the charge of transporting, the term "transporting" is of such simple English and its meaning so well understood by all classes that a definition of the term could not be said to be necessary. His Honor instructed the jury that the charge in the fourth count (the one on which the defendants were convicted) is transporting such liquor from "one place to another." We think the jury well understood what was necessary to be proven in order for the defendants to be convicted on this count. It is noticeable that no request for fuller explanation was made by counsel for appellants.

The fifth question is based on the sixth exception, as follows:

"Because his Honor abused his discretion in the sentence imposed, and thereby committed reversible error; said sentence being unjust, unreasonable, and excessive, and in violation of the Constitution (Article 1, § 19)."

We have made a careful study of the record in the case, and cannot agree with the contention of appellants. This exception, as we view the record, is without merit.

The exceptions are, therefore, overruled, and it is the judgment of this Court that the judgment of the lower Court be, and the same is hereby, affirmed.

MR. CHIEF JUSTICE WATTS and MESSRS. JUSTICES COTHRAN, BLEASE and STABLER concur.