Hammond v. State

The first count of the complaint and information charged, in substance, that on the 29th of November, 1938, appellant possessed whisky and beer in a dry area for the purpose of sale; the second count charged that on the 27th day of May, 1939, appellant possessed whisky and beer in a dry area for the purpose of sale. Both counts were submitted to the jury, who returned a verdict finding appellant guilty as charged in the first count and also a verdict finding him guilty as charged in the second count. As to the first count, the jury assessed the punishment at a fine of $100, while as to the second count the punishment was assessed at ninety days' confinement in jail.

The evidence is deemed sufficient to support the judgment of conviction.

It appears from bill of exception No. 1 that during the progress of the search of the home of appellant's father appellant entered the room where the officers had discovered the liquor and stated to them that they were "getting into his supplies." Appellant objected to the testimony of the officers concerning the statement he made to them on the ground that he was under arrest and that the provisions of Art. 727, C. C. P., had not been complied with. As qualified, the bill of exception shows that appellant had not been arrested and that he had not been sent for, but entered the room voluntarily and made the declaration in question. Moreover, it appears that appellant's statement was res gestae. The bill of exception fails to reflect error.

It is shown in bill of exception No. 2 that in his argument to the jury the county attorney referred to appellant as "a wise bootlegger." It is shown in the bill that the court instructed the jury to disregard such argument. Further, it is shown that the county attorney was referring to the evidence adduced upon the trial when he charged appellant with being a bootlegger. When we look to the evidence it is observed that it was shown that appellant did not drink intoxicating liquor. Nevertheless, a large quantity of whisky and beer was shown circumstantially to be in his possession. We are unable to reach the conclusion that under the circumstances shown in the bill of exception the argument should work a reversal of the judgment.

It appears from bill of exception No. 3 that Joe Taff, a witness for the State, testified that a few days after the officers had recovered a quantity of liquor from the home of appellant's father appellant stated to the witness "that it was all his stuff and that none of it was his dad's." In his argument to the jury the county attorney used language as follows: "In his statement to Mr. Taff, the defendant said that was all his stuff. If that statement did not include the liquor, it was up to him to make the explanation." Appellant objected to the remarks of the counsel for the State on the ground that they constituted a reference and an allusion to his failure to testify. The bill certifies that appellant did not testify, but fails to show, as required by the rules, that no other person could have denied that appellant possessed the liquor. The bill is insufficient. In any event, we are of opinion that the argument had reference to the failure of appellant to explain to Mr. Taff that the liquor found in the home of his father did not belong to him (appellant). In short, the argument is not regarded by us as one whose necessary effect was a reference to appellant's failure to testify. See Weatherred v. State, 89 S.W.2d 212.

Failing to find reversible error, the judgment is affirmed.

The foregoing opinion of the Commission of Appeals has been examined by the Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals and approved by the Court.

ON MOTION FOR REHEARING.