Magruder v. State

DAVIDS ON, Presiding Judge.

Appellant was convicted of assault with intent to murder, his punishment fixed at fifteen years confinement in the penitentiary.

There are some affidavits filed as original papers in this court, attacking the statement of facts as incorrect and some bills of exception. These can not be considered. They do not raise any jurisdictional fact. This is not a trial but an appellate court.

Bill of exceptions number 1 complains of this language used by counsel for the State in his argument: “The poor woman is now in bed from her wounds, and has been ever since she was cut by this defendant.” It is objected there was no such testimony before the jury, and the statement would likely influence the jury adversely to appellant out of sympathy for the assaulted party. The court, however, qualifies this bill by stating that the evidence showed that the woman whom the defendant is charged with having wounded, was severely cut by defendant on the date the offense is alleged to have been committed; that she was confined to her bed from the effect of it and has continued to be so confined up to the time of the trial; and that she was in such condition that she was unable to attend court to appear as a witness in the case; the State having gone to trial in her absence, having other eye-witnesses to the alleged offense. The bills and record are in this condition, ánd not attacked in any way in the lower court.

Bill number 2 urges reversal objections because counsel who had been employed by appellant was not present, but was out of the city and would he back in a day or two; that the attorney who made this statement to the court was not employed to represent defendant, and was not familiar with the facts; and that defendant was really without an attorney, and for the reasons stated asked that the case be continued for a day or two, until the attorney could return. This bill is qualified by the court to the effect: “Hr. Hamilton, the lawyer referred to as being absent, stated to the court upon his return that he had never been employed by defendant, nor any one else to represent him; that no one was authorized to make any such representation to the court.” In addition the court says: “Defendant came into open court ten days be fore his case was called, and was asked by the court if he had any witnesses; he stated that he did, and gave them to the court. The court had them summoned and they were present at the time of the trial, and Jas. F. Yeager, Esq., who volunteered to represent defendant, consulted each of said witnesses and announced to the court that they knew absolutely nothing about the case, and excused them in the presence and hearing of the defendant. The court also informed defendant at the time he was brought before the court, if he wanted a lawyer he had better make his arrangements before the day set for hearing, as the court expected to try the case at that time. Counsel who represents defendant upon trial claims that defendant told him he had employed Mr. Hamilton.” As this bill presents the matter, with the qualification of the judge, there is no error. Mr. Hamilton was not employed by defendant, therefore he could not ask a continuance or postponement until his return.

The charge of the court is criticised because, in submitting the issue to the jury, the court used the word “him” for “her,” the assaulted party being a woman. The language in this connection is as follows: “If you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant, Henry Magruder * * * with a deadly weapon or instrument reasonably calculated and likely to produce death, or serious bodily injury from the manner in which it was used, and with malice aforethought, did assault the said Mattie Smith, with the specific intent then and there to kill and murder him by the means charged in the indictment, then you will find 'defendant guilty of assault with intent to murder.” As before stated, the criticism is on the use of the word “him” where “her” should have been used. The charge is sufficiently plain for the jury to understand, and they were not misled about it. The criticism is hypercritical.

It is contended the State failed to prove venue. There was no issue of this sort raised, as required by the recent act of the Legislature, by bill of exceptions. Besides, the court certifies in the statement of facts that time, venue and name of the alleged injured party were proved as alleged in the indictment. It is also contended that the evidence fails to show the name of the defendant was proved on the trial. The evidence in this respect is as follows: “Maggie Majors, sworn for State, testified as follows:. Q. There is an indictment here against one Henry Magruder charging him with assault with attempt to murder Mattie Smith, on or about the 17th of September, this year. Tell all you know about it. A. She and I were sitting down in the depot; she had started to her brother’s to pick cotton, and we were sitting on a seat in the depot, and we were side by side; and the man came right on in and I was so frightened and scared and halloaing, I did not know what to do.” Then follows a detailed statement of the facts in connection with the assault. The question and answers taken together with the further statement that Magruder came into the depot and looked about for her and butchered her up, it occurs to us, sufficiently shows the name of the accused. The witness was questioned with reference to the defend ant by name, and her reply was in regard to his actions and assault in the depot upon the woman, calling his name as the assaulting party. The judgment is affirmed.

Affirmed.