Higgins v. State

7 Ind. 549 | Ind. | 1856

Perkins, J.

Criminal prosecution against Higgins for forcible entry and detainer. Conviction and fine. The evidence is not upon the record.

1. On the trial, the prosecutor asked certain witnesses certain questions, which, the record states, they answered, but gives no idea of*what the responses were. They may, have been immaterial. We can not say the defendant was injured by them. The record further states that the de-^ fendant then called certain witnesses, and inquired of them;; if the witnesses examined by the prosecutor had not made. to them certain statements, but the Court refused to hear their answers, &c. We can not say the Court erred in this refusal, because we do not know that anything to be contradicted had been stated.

2. The appellant complains that instructions asked by him were refused; but the record does not state that there was evidence to which they would have been applicable. Hence, it does not show that an error was committed.

3. He complains that an item of evidence offered by him was rejected. But the record does not show that it could have had any influence upon the case. If it could not, no harm was done in rejecting it. The item consisted of a deed for the premises forcibly entered. But the title was not necessarily in question.

4. He complains that a motion for a new trial was denied. But the motion was made after a motion in arrest of judgment; and, further, the evidence is not upon the record, enabling us to judge of the correctness of the verdict below. We can not say, therefore, that there was here any error.

5. The Court admitted evidence of violence upon the body of the person in possession of the premises forcibly entered upon, at the time of the entry, and the appellant complains of this as being evidence of an assault and battery, a separate offence, for which he should not be punished in this proceeding. But the evidence was proper to show the fact of a forcible entry and its character. By our statute, 2 R. S. 430, every person guilty of forcible entry or detainer may be fined in any sum not exceeding 1,000 dollars. The fine may vary with the character, the aggravation, of the offence. In addition to the criminal, there is also a civil remedy for possession, and “ damages for retention” of the premises. 2 R. S. 492.

And as to the assault and battery, we take it that it is part of the offence, and is punished ftr the punishment for the forcible entry or detainer. “ If a person having a possessory title to land, enters by force, and turns out a person who has a naked possession only,” he may be indicted for >a breach of the peace, but is not liable in trespass to the ousted person; and on the trial of the indictment the title to the land does not come in question. U. S. Cr. Law, 277, 278, 279, 285.

J. S. Scobey and W Cumback, for the appellant. Per Curiam.

The judgment is affirmed with costs.