Sims v. State

Appellant was convicted of the offense denounced by the terms of Code 1928, Section 4131 — obtaining property by false pretenses. The value of the property shown to be so obtained ($2,300) warranted the punishment imposed. Code 1928, Sec. 4905.

In view of the record, as it comes before us, we can see no necessity for a detailed discussion of the evidence.

Appellant was charged by an indictment, unchallenged by demurrer, with falsely pretending to Stella O. Kimbrough, with intent to defraud, that he was an agent of the National Union Mortgage Company, and that said National Union Mortgage Company had sent the appellant to the said Stella O. Kimbrough to collect certain bonds for exchange for bonds of greater value; and said indictment further stated that by means of such false pretenses the appellant obtained from Mrs. Kimbrough three particularly described bonds (of the value of $2,300) belonging to her.

Appellant was unrepresented by counsel on his trial below, but he is represented here by capable counsel who have filed a brief in his behalf evincing much ability and industry. And said counsel, with commendable candor, admit that there are but three questions apparent which deserve our consideration. We agree.

These questions are, as stated by appellant's counsel:

1. Did the State meet the burden of proof in establishing every element of the offense charged to the appellant?

2. Was there a fatal variance between (the allegations of) the indictment and the proof?

3. Did the court commit a reversible error in permitting testimony concerning the appellant's record as to previous criminal offenses?

The first two questions are raised by the refusal to give to the jury at appellant's request the general affirmative charge to find in his favor.

Nothing seems more definitely settled than that before we can review the action of the lower court in refusing the requested affirmative charge in favor of a party, the bill of exceptions sent to us must show that it contains all the evidence. To use the language of Mr. Justice Foster of our Supreme Court, in what we believe is the latest utterance on the subject: "Since the days of court reporters there has grown up a habit of stating all the evidence in the bill of exceptions. And this isnecessary in order to review the ruling on the affirmativecharge requested in writing by either party or on a motion for a new trial because of the insufficiency of evidence." (Italics ours.) All States Life Ins. Co. v. Johnson, Ala.Sup., 194 So. 877, 880.¹ And see Daugherty v. State,28 Ala. App. 453, 186 So. 780, wherein we cite Crow v. McKown,192 Ala. 480, 68 So. 341, L.R.A. 1915E, 372.

Here, the bill of exceptions not only does not state that it contains all the evidence — a prerequisite to our consideration of questions 1 and 2, above — but it shows on its face that it does not contain all the evidence. Hence we cannot pass upon said questions.

As for question No. 3 it may be well to observe that our duties are appellate, only. Unless there is an exception to a given ruling, below, either reserved, or presumed, there is nothing for us to do about said ruling.

And as for answering said question No. 3 we find nothing presented to us. Nowhere is there an exception to a ruling admitting (or rejecting) testimony, which warrants our review.

There does seem to be an exception to a ruling "admitting into the evidence" what the parties refer to as the "Hoover Report." But no such report appears to have been actually introduced — certainly it does not appear in the bill of exceptions. Hence we are unable to review the said ruling.

Any other "testimony concerning the appellant's record as to previous criminal offenses" which was offered, went into the evidence without objection — and therefore presents nothing to us for decision.

While we have "searched the record for error" (Hughes v. State, 213 Ala. 555, 105 So. 664) in accordance with our statutory duty — and this in the light of the excellent briefs furnished us by the parties, state and defendant (appellant), — we are unable to discover, anywhere, a ruling or action by the trial court presented to us in a way that would authorize our ascertaining and declaring said error, — if it existed — and reversing the judgment appealed from.

It results, said judgment must be, and is, affirmed.

Affirmed

¹ 239 Ala. 392.