Jones v. State

116 Ala. 468 | Ala. | 1897

HEAD, J.

There was no error in overruling the motion in arrest of judgment. — Frazier v. State, ante, p. 442, where the same motion, upon the same character of record, was considered.

One Charles Glass, a witness for the State, testified that’, on the occasion of the killing, defendant was sitting in the door of his (witness’) saloon when the deceased came to where the defendant was. Witness, being in the saloon waiting upon customers, did not hear what passed between defendant and deceased; that he saw defendant get up from his chair and move from the door-out on the sidewalk, and on to a bridge directly in front of the saloon ; saw the deceased turn towards defendant, when defendant drew his pistol and fired; the parties being about- six feet apart. The version of other witnesses, who were examined before Glass was introduced, and who testified that they were immediately present and saw and heard what was said and done by the parties, was that deceased came up to where defendant was sitting, in the door of the saloon, and said to the latter, “ I want my dime to which defendant replied, “Go away. I do not want any trouble with you.” The demand for the dime was repeated, in about the same language, receiving about the same reply; thereupon defendant moved from his seat, stood up in the doorway and shot the deceased with a pistol which he drew from his shirt-bosom ; that deceased, when shot, had his right hand upon the door-facing and his left hand upon his left knee. After the said witness, Glass, had given his version of the occurrence, as above stated,.he testified that on the night before the shooting deceased told him that he intended to kill defendant, and that he comiiiunicated the threat to defendant; and witness was then asked by defendant, if he (witness) did not, at the request of defendant, go to the deceased for the purpose of making peace between them? A general objection to this question, by the State, was sustained, and defendant excepted. The defendant then asked the witness, .“If deceased did not, at the time witness went to deceased for the defendant, tell witness that he would not make any settlement, but that what he wanted was satisfaction?” To which a general objection by the State was sustained.

First, it was not proper to prove by the witness what his purpose was in going to the deceased. Secondly, there was no evidence of any act or hostile demonstration of any kind, on the part of deceased, at the time of the homicide, indicating any. effort or purpose to assault or use violence upon the defendant, to which a previous threat could give color or character, and when that is the case, it is the settled rule that evidence of previous threats by the deceased is not admissible. — Hughey’s Case, 47 Ala. 97; Green’s Case, 69 Ala. 6; Payne’s Case, 60 Ala. 80. The nearest approach to evidence of such an act or demonstration was the said statement of the witness, Glass, that when the defendant walked out to the bridge about six feet from deceased, he, deceased, turned toward defendant, when defendant drew his pistol and fired. It is too plain for controversy that “turning towards the defendant,” in view of the other undisputed facts of this case, above set oiit, was, without more, no evidence of a hostile act or demonstration, which under any pxfinciple of law, could have justified the defendant in taking the life of the deceased.

. It was not competent for defendant to prove by his witness, Lowe, the particulars of the previous difficulty to which Lowe testified.

The record presents no other questions for our consideration. We have carefully examined the whole record, and .find that the indictment and trial were conducted throughout in conformity to law, and the prisoner was regularly and lawfully conyicted and sentenced.

The day fixed for the execution of sentence haying passed, Friday, the 11th day of February, 1898, is hereby-fixed for the execution thereof.

Affirmed.