Martin v. State

106 So. 873 | Ala. Ct. App. | 1926

The evidence in this case, without conflict or dispute, disclosed that several law enforcement and local officers searched for and found two stills in Lowndes county; and, while all parts of the stills were not located, the evidence of the witnesses was that the parts found were commonly or generally used for, or were suitable to be used in, the manufacture of prohibited liquors or beverages. The evidence met the required rule. Wilson v. State, 20 Ala. App. 62, 100 So. 914, and by this evidence the corpus delicti was established.

As to the connection of this appellant with the stills in question, the evidence was that he was arrested by the officers in the vicinity of the stills, and no act of ownership or possession of the stills by defendant was shown. This is wholly insufficient upon which to predicate a conviction for the unlawful possession of the stills and the court should have so instructed the jury as requested in writing by defendant. It was error to refuse to defendant the affirmative charge. It is probable that the presence of the defendant near the still was sufficient to and did create a suspicion against him, but it is elementary that this is insufficient to authorize a conviction, for, as often stated, the same rules of evidence apply in a case of this character as in other criminal cases; the rule being the evidence must be sufficient to satisfy the jury of the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt and to a moral certainty. There was no evidence in this case to justify the jury in their verdict. Mere presence of a person at or near a still, without other incriminating facts or circumstances, is not sufficient to warrant or authorize the conviction of such person for the offense of unlawfully possessing said still. Seigler v. State, 19 Ala. App. 135, 95 So. 563; Hanson v. State, 19 Ala. App. 249, 96 So. 655; Guin v. State, 19 Ala. App. 67,94 So. 788. Under the evidence adduced upon this trial the defendant was clearly entitled to his discharge by an acquittal.

Moreover, we note that the accused named in the indictment is John Martin, alias Allen, and that the testimony of each of the state's witnesses referred to Jim Martin as being the party arrested by them near the stills. This, however, is immaterial from what has been said. Furthermore the variance appears not to have been observed upon the trial of this case; nor does counsel for defendant make any point in brief in this connection.

For the error designated the judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded.

Reversed and remanded.