217 S.W.2d 961 | Ky. Ct. App. | 1949
Affirming.
Collie Meek is appealing from a judgment sentencing him to two years in prison for child desertion. Reversal is urged upon the ground the evidence introduced by the Commonwealth was insufficient to sustain a conviction.
Mrs. Meek testified that she had been married to Collie Meek for about 12 years; that she and Collie had been separated for about five years; that for the past two and one-half years she and her four children had been making their home with her father; that under a previous indictment for child desertion Collie had been sentenced to one year in prison and had been paroled on condition that he pay $40 per month for the support of his children; and that he paid this amount for about four months. Mrs. Meek's father testified to substantially the same facts as did Mrs. Meek.
The appellant admitted he had been in court previously on the charge of deserting his children, but said that he got a call to the Army and the case was dropped. When asked why he had not been supporting his children Meek said he had been out of work for some time; that he had been employed at the American Rolling Mills in Ashland, but he was not permitted to work in water or dust on account of his health; that his teeth were poisoning his system; that he went back every month for an examination and was told that he could not work in water or dust. Meek offered no proof other than his own relative to his physical condition and his inability to get work. He said he drove a delivery truck for a while and later drove a cab.
It is the contention of counsel for the appellant that it was incumbent upon the Commonwealth to show that Meek was physically able to earn sufficient money to support himself and his children, in view of his testimony. In the case of Cox v. Commonwealth,
Under the circumstances, we think the judgment should be and it is affirmed.
