44 Tex. 430 | Tex. | 1876
The motion for a new trial should have been granted. The testimony does not support and justify the verdict. The mule alleged to have been stolen had been out of the actual possession of the owner for some two years before appellant is shown to have had any connection with it. During this time the owner knew nothing about it, except that he had heard it had gotten out of the pasture, where he had placed it, and was running in a bend of the river below the pasture. Much too great a length of time had elapsed since the mule had been in the possession or under control of the owner for the proof of possession and claim of ownership by appellant to raise the presumption of theft. And especially when, as in this case, the proof shows that defendant purchased it from a party living in the immediate vicinity of the owner and himself, and held and used it openly under this claim of title, with the knowledge of the owner, for months before, on the demand of the owner, he surrendered it to him.
The evidence before the jury shows that the mule had upon it the owner’s brand when it was first in appellant’s possession, which brand was subsequently changed, and
The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.
Reversed and remanded.