Taylor v. State ( 1915 )

DAVIDSON, Judge.

This conviction was for murder, the punishment being assessed at ten years confinement in the penitentiary;

Suggestion is made that the sentence was in accordance with the verdict for ten years and did not take into consideration the indeterminate sentence law. This judgment will be so corrected as to comply with the indeterminate sentence law and make the punishment not less than five nor more than ten years. The proper order will be entered by the clerk of this court so reforming and correcting the sentence.

There were two theories in the case,—one was murder and the other self-defense. Manslaughter was also given in charge by the court. At least this is a sufficient statement of the case from that viewpoint. The State’s view of it was that appellant had animosity against the Nugents, the deceased being named Zimmie Nugent; that on the day of and preceding the killing, in the evening, Gilbert Taylor was convicted for killing one of the Nugents, and that the deceased, Zimmie Nugent, was interested in that case. It is also shown by the State that Gilbert Taylor, when verdict was returned against him, requested appellant to kill the Nugents, and he replied that he would do the best he could. En route from the town of Liberty, where the trial occurred, on the evening after the trial and conviction of Gilbert Taylor, this difficulty occurred. The theory of the State is that appellant went after his gun, returned and killed deceased. It is unnecessary to go into a detailed statement of the facts with reference to this matter. Appellant’s theory was that a colloquy ensued and the deceased, Zimmie Nugent, was close enough to, and did, stab him in the back, and he killed him on account of this attack.

There are quite a number of bills of exceptions found in the record— something like twenty-eight. The first bill complains of the action of the court permitting the district attorney to show that during the difficulty and when the appellant fired the first shot that he was pointing his gun towards Zimmie Nugent; and, further, that the witness did not think Zimmie Nugent had anything, but would not swear to it. The district attorney also asked this question: “I will ask you to state whether or not you saw Zimmie Nugent and Vivian Taylor when they started to running?” Objection was interposed and the court ruled against appellant, and ordered the witness to answer the question. The answer was, “they were running.” He was then asked whether or not he saw them all the time they were running. Objection was urged that the previous answer was sufficient. What the answer of this witness was is not shown in the bill. It is, therefore, unnecessary to consider this further. There is nothing in this bill which would require a reversal of the judgment.

Another bill recites that the district attorney propounded this question to Frank Fregia: “I will ask you to state whether or not Zimmie Nugent stopped before he was killed after he began running.” Appellant objected to this on the ground that the question was leading. The court overruled the objection by stating, “I don’t think it is.” The witness answered, “No, sir, I don’t think he stopped until he was killed.” The defendant then and there excepted and tendered his bill. We hardly think this was a leading question. This was the only ground urged, and the evidence was permissible anyway.

While the same witness, Frank Fregia, was on the stand the district attorney asked him to state whether or not he saw Zimmie Nugent and Vivian Taylor all the time until Zimmie was killed. The witness answered, “Yes, sir.” Defendant remarked: “May it please the court that we may make the same objection to this part of the testimony. That it is leading and in improper form.” The court overruled this objection. It was not leading as to' whether or not he could see the witness all the time or not.

Another bill recites that Emma Fregia, on cross-examination, was asked by appellant’s counsel: “Isn’t it a fact that you testified on habeas corpus trial that they were as close together as me and Mr. Marshall (referring to Zimmie Pugent and Vivian Taylor) ? And isn’t it a fact that you were as close as we are now, if not.closer?” The witness answered: “I do not remember about it.” Defendant’s attorneys asked: “Isn’t it a fact that they were as close as we are now?” The State objected. Defendant suggested that he thought the answer was proper and especially went to show she testified on the habeas corpus trial: “We were as close as we are now, if not closer,” and goes to show that they were close enough for Zimmie to have cut defendant in the back. The court said: “I don’t think that she can be made to answer that question if she says she does not remember. Go ahead, gentlemen, and let’s get through with this case.” Exception was noted. The court said, “Yes, sir.” To which ruling of the court defendant excepted. We think this bill shows no error. Of course if the witness did not remember it would be difficult to make her testify to things she did not recall. This would have afforded, however, the ground for impeaching her if she had sworn as indicated on some previous occasion. Where-a witness is asked about a matter and fails to remember, it can be shown that the witness testified to the matter on a previous occasion as a means of contradiction or impeachment. As this bill is presented we find no error.

Bills Nos. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are practically the same. The jury were excused while the witness Ellis was on the stand and after their retirement Mr. Ellis, being a witness for the State, the State desired to showi by Ellis that appellant made a statement in his presence that “one Taylor was worth the whole damn Pugent family.” Appellant objected to this as irrelevant and immaterial to any issue in the case and did not tend to show he made this statement as a threat against the life of. deceased, and “we wish to make our objection” to the introduction of Mr. Ellis’ testimony. The court overruled the objection and a bill of exception was noted. Then followed the examination of Mr. Ellis, the substance of which was that on the day of the homicide and after Gilbert Taylor had been convicted, the witness was permitted to state that appellant was in his, witness’, place of business, had a conversation with him or he heard a conversation in which appellant stated, referring to the Gilbert Taylor case, and in which something was said about Gilbert getting a term in the penitentiary. That witness remarked: “It’s a bad thing for anybody to go to the penitentiary,” and appellant said,. “Yes, one Taylor is worth the whole damn Pugent family.” That he thought that was about the substance of the conversation. Appellant ¡ objected to this on various grounds, and especially that no particular member of the family was individuated or specified. We think the facts of the- case, even this bill of exceptions, sufficiently show that this testimony was admissible. It showed' a feeling of opposition, if not motive, which was sufficient to include the deceased. He was one of the Eugent family and closely related to the Eugent who was killed by Gilbert Taylor. He was clearly included in the family and was sufficiently indicated as being one of them.

Bill of exceptions 8 and 9 referred to, was in regard to the witness Franklin Ellis, son of the other Ellis. The substance of the hill is practically the same as above mentioned, towit: bills Nos. 6 and 7.

Bills Nos. 10 and 11 recite that Carlisle, a witness for the State, was asked if Gilbert Taylor was convicted last February. The answer was in the affirmative. When asked for the murder of whom, objection was interposed, which was overruled, and the witness answered for the killing of Alfred Eugent’s son. Alfred Eugent and the deceased, Zimmie Eugent, were half-brothers. It was further shown by this witness Carlisle on the trial of Gilbert Taylor, Zimmie Eugent was a witness for the State and assisted in the prosecution of Gilbert Taylor. Further objection was urged that this was irrelevant, immaterial and prejudicial, and introduced for the purpose of inflaming the minds of the jury against the defendant and that appellant was in no way connected with the killing of Alfred Eugent’s son by Gilbert Taylor. It was also shown by this witness that he had sent after4 Frozene Eugent to come to court as a witness, and that the witness had sent Albert Eugent after her in a buggy. Objection was urged to this because it was "boosting up and corroborating their own witnesses that they have brought here.”«The objection was overruled.This testimony was admissible on the question of the relation of the parties to the transaction and the probable motive to kill Zimmie Eugent. Zimmie Eugent was a half-brother of Alfred Eugent, whom Gilbert Taylor killed, and was assisting in the prosecution of Gilbert Taylor. * Appellant was closely related to Gilbert Taylor, and for reasons heretofore set out we think this testimony was admissible to show relation of the parties and the mental condition and status of appellant towards deceased, Zimmie Eugent.

There are three other bills, Eos. 13, 14, and 15, which" recite that .while the witness Dagle was testifying, on cross-examination, he was asked: “Didn’t you testify on the examining trial the day after this happened?” He answered in the affirmative. He was then asked: “Didn’t you state in answer to this*question,What did you do then?’ ‘Well, Frank waved for Feran to bring his paw’s horse.’ Defendant objected to all this purported testimony on ,the|examining trial on the ground it was not properly signed, not sworn to,' and was never shown to the witness for him to change his testimony. The court ordered the examination to proceed. They made further objection that it was improper to cross-examine the witness'on what is purported to be testimony on the examining trial, when the same is not sworn to by the witness; and that the testimony he is reading from is not verified as required by law. The court remarked, “This is the same thing you were doing yesterday. Go ahead, gentlemen.” Exception was taken to this remark of the court. Then it was asked: “Wasn’t you asked this question on the examining trial: ‘What did you do?’ and didn’t you answer thus: ‘Well, Frank waved for Feran to bring his paw’s horse,’ Did you say that? A. I don’t remember. Q. And wasn’t you asked this question: ‘What did Feran do then?’ and wasn’t your answer, ‘Feran just stopped’ ? A. No, sir.” Appellant again objected. Then follows quite a lot of this same character of testimony, all of it being questions to the witness as to what occurred during the examining trial. It covers several pages. We are of the opinion that these bills do not show any error. It is proper to lay a predicate to show what the witness stated on the examining trial, whether reduced to writing or not, or whether he had signed the document or not. If he stated testimony on an examining trial different from what he testified on the final trial he could be thus impeached and the fact that it was or was not reduced to writing would not alter the rule. The predicate could be laid for the impeachment, and if the necessity arose, or the occasion was made to introduce the impeaching testimony, it could be as well done this way as if the testimony had been reduced to writing and signed. Contradictory statements of witnesses may be proved, whether sworn to or not, whether reduced to writing or not. If the witness failed to answer for the State in accordance with his previous testimony, evidence could be introduced to show the contradiction. The fact that the State did not introduce such testimony would not change the rule of laying the predicate. It is not always advisable to lay a predicate, however, without following it up, and if no injury is shown to have been done by reason of this condition of things, it would not be reversible error. If the witness stated, on the final trial, testimony different from what he stated on the examining trial he could be contradicted ; or if he stated different testimony on the examining trial from what he stated on the final trial, the State might contradict him by showing his former testimony or .former statement was in contravention of what he now testifies.

The appellant proposed to prove by the witness Daniel that the deceased had frequently talked to him about his trouble and had told him of various people he had whipped and beat and he “was the bully of the Fregia settlement.” This seems to have been excluded by the court, but the grounds of objection are not stated, or the purpose for which the testimony was sought. Therefore the bill is too indefinite.

By the witness Barrow appellant proposed to-prove, and would have done so had he been permitted, specific acts of the deceased, or at least such, as narrated by the deceased, that he “was the bully of the Fregia neighborhood, or settlement.” The object or purpose of this testimony is not stated in the bill, nor any fact stated that would connect it up or show the purpose for which it was sought.

Abshier, on cross-examination, was asked if he had ever neard of him being in any trouble, or fighting. “Did you hear that there was a charge against him for skinning cattle ?” Defendant objected. The answer of the witness is not given, nor does the bill show to whom they referred in using the word “he” and “him.” The bill is too indefinite to be discussed.

The State introduced Carlisle and we are led to believe, in a general way from this bill, that they were inquiring as to the location of the dead body after the trouble, though this is not specific. However, we are led to believe that that was the subject of the inquiry. He was then asked if he looked at the horse tracks and could tell whether they were walking or running. The court sustained the objection because a predicate had not been properly laid. Then follows various and sundry questions and answers showing this witness had been accustomed to riding horses all his life in practically every conceivable way. He was then asked the question whether or not he could tell by horses’ tracks whether they were walking or running. Objection was urged. The court overruled the objection. The witness answered, “They were running.” He was then asked if the tracks of the horse on the ground showed him tó be walking or running, and he answered as before. It was legitimate testimony and the witness qualified himself to answer the question.

Another bill recites that while this same witness, Carlisle, was on the stand he was asked to look at a gun, and furthei, if that was the gun he got from Vivian Taylor when he arrested him. And further, if it had been in his possession since the arrest. He stated on cross-examination that he got this gun at Gustave Fruger’s, where he found appellant, and that this was the same gun and was the only Winchester there. He was then asked if he was present at the examining trial and heard Dagle’s testimony. He answered in the affirmative. Objection was urged because going into a new issue. Defendant stated he wanted to introduce the gun and that was the purpose of putting Carlisle on the stand, and didn’t think it was right to reopen the case as all of their witnesses had gone home. The court remarked: “I don’t like this kind of procedure, gentlemen, and would not have allowed it if Mr. Manry had not yielded.” Defendant said, “We wish to take a bill of exceptions to the remark of the court.” While the court is prohibited from making remarks indicating his views of the testimony, or its bearing or relation to the case, we do not believe this remark by the court is brought within the rule and is not of sufficient importance to be seriously considered.

Another bill recites that Mrs. Frozene Nugent was, on redirect examination, asked the following question by the district attorney: “Mr. Marshall asked you a while ago how about the Taylors and how you felt towards them, and you stated to him that you had nothing against any of them except Gilbert ?” She said, “Yes, sir.” She was then asked: “You stated to Mr. Marshall a while ago you had nothing against any of the Taylors except Gilbert Taylor, Gilbert Taylor was the,one convicted by—” The defendant stated: “We certainly object to that question, it has nothing to do with this case.” State: “They brought out she had something against the Taylors. She said she had nothing against any of them except Gilbert, and I want to ask hei what feeling she had against Gilbert." Objections were urged on the ground that this was irrelevant, immaterial, incompetent and improper testimony, and highly prejudicial to defendant" in this ease. The Court: “Let her answer the question." “Q. What answer do you give why you do not like Gilbert Taylor ? A. Because he killed my boy." Defendant duly excepted on the grounds above stated. We are of opinion that whether the testimony was inadmissible or not, it would not present error, as the evidence had already shown that Gilbert Taylor had killed the witness’ son.

They also proved by this same witness she had been sick for two months and that her former husband was a brother of the deceased. This is a small matter and if error, is not sufficient to require serious consideration.

During the trial of the case the county attorney, in his opening argument, used this language: “The deceased, Zimmie Nugent, was lying on the ground groaning, bleeding and dying when defendant shot him the last time." Objection was urged to this argument. There is some evidence to justify this comment. Some of the testimony goes to the effect that after Zimmie Nugent fell from his horse appellant went back to where he was and shot him again while down.

Another bill recites that while Mr. Manry, district attorney, was arguing the case to the jury, he told the jury that Frank Fruger and .Feran. Fruger swore that the defendant had a gun when he crossed the marsh, and that Eugene Dagle said the same on the examining trial that he 'had a gun when he crossed the marsh. Objection was urged to this argument as being improper, and the court told the district attorney that said testimony of the witness Eugene Dagle on the-examining trial could not be used as corroborative evidence but only as impeaching evidence. And later Mr. Manry, in his closing argument for the State, and after the court had admonished him that said testimony could only be used as impeaching testimony, he further said: “On the examining trial Eugene Dagle said that Zimmie and his boy were running and the- defendant and Bad were running after them, he said that the next day Frank and Feran Fruger said that here on this trial, and it corroborates Frank Fruger and Feran Fruger, and how can you get' self-defense Out of that.” Objection was again urged that they should not consider this testimony as corroborating evidence, and the court so instructed the jury, and again admonished the district attorney not' to argue the same as corroborative. That said district attorney further said: “Gentlemen of the jury, the defendant went to Ellis’ store and bought cartridges just after having made the threat as stated by the witness Frozene Nugent for the State." The bill recites there was no evidence that defendant had so bought cartridges. This last statement seems to have been beyond the record. As we understand, they undertook to prove, but failed to do so, that appellant bought cartridges. They did -prove that.he sought to buy cartridges, but Mr. Ellis did not have them in stock and he failed to buy them. Eo charge was asked in reference to the matter and none given by the court instructing them not to consider this. In view of the many decisions by this court on this question, we do not believe we would be justified in reversing the case for this reason. Little v. State, decided June 2 last.

Viewing this case from these different viewpoints, we are of opinion that there is no error of sufficient importance to require a reversal, and it is, therefore, affirmed.

Affirmed.