31 N.Y.S. 267 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1894
It is urged by the learned counsel for the appellant that the demurrer interposed by defendant to the indictment should have been sustained, for the reason that the third count thereof,
“It will be observed that there is no positive and direct averment that the pretenses alleged had any influence upon the mind of the prosecutor, or induced him, in any way, to part with the oxen; and it would, no doubt, have been more strictly in accordance with the rules of pleading applicable to such cases to have inserted an allegation embodying a charge of the character stated. It is, however, averred that by the false pretenses alleged the prisoner did obtain the property. This could not be true, in fact, unless the prosecutor believed the false pretenses set forth to be true, and they had an influence upon his mind, and induced him to part with the property. _ How could the prisoner obtain the oxen in the manner alleged, unless it was done by means of the false pretenses operating upon his mind and influencing his judgment? The allegation that the prisoner made the representation for the purpose named, in connection with the subsequent averment that he did thus obtain the oxen, is equivalent to a statement that he believed the pretenses to be true, and was induced thereby to part with the property. First is the inducement, and then follows the act of obtaining the oxen,—-the latter as a natural and inevitable consequence of the former. The fair and legitimate construction of the last allegation will warrant the inference that, inasmuch as the prosecutor was induced to part with the oxen, that he believed the statements made, and thereby the oxen were unlawfully obtained.”
We concur with the view of Justice Miller, above quoted, and are hence unable to hold that the position of appellant is well taken.
The defendant also objects to the indictment because it alleges a false promise, and couples it with alleged false pretenses which are of no importance without the promise; citing Ranney v. People, 22 N. Y. 417. An examination of the authority cited shows that it is not parallel to the case under consideration. The false pretense in this case wras founded on false representations as to existing facts, by which McCann was induced to deliver to defendant his two promissory notes. In Ranney v. People, supra, the false pretense alleged was the promise of the defendant to employ the complainant at a future time, and pay him, when he did not in fact intend to employ him. It was held that the false reprer sentation complained of was promissory in its nature, and hence that a criminal charge could not be sustained. In this case, defendant obtained the notes from complainant by agreeing that a certain corporation or firm should thereafter pay him certain sums for oats, and that said corporation or firm was solvent The false
Counsel for appellant further claims that the court erred in receiving evidence on the trial of similar transactions to that on account of which defendant was indicted. Such evidence, in cases of alleged false pretenses, where it is important to show the intention of defendant, has been deemed proper. Bielschofsky v. People, 3 Hun, 40, affirmed 60 N. Y. 616; Mayer v. People, 80 N. Y. 364.
Nor do we think that the court erred in allowing the witness Levan to testify that Jeffery had been indicted; that he saw in the papers that he had. The defendant had made Levan his witness for the purpose of proving good character. On that subject the people could properly cross-examine him, and, as he had testified to the good character of the prisoner, the people could properly ask him if he had heard reports derogatory to his character. Carpenter v. Blake, 10 Hun, 358-360; Leonard v. Allen, 11 Cush. 241-245.
We are of opinion that it is unnecessary for the people, in cases of indictment under section 566 of the Penal Code, to allege, or on the trial prove, the value of the instrument complainant was induced to sign by the false pretenses of the defendant. The instrument might be one whose value could not be proved. In this case the defendant obtained the notes of McCann, one of which, for $100 is now outstanding, and on which he may be compelled to pay $100 and interest. We think the case stated in the indictment and proved on the trial was within the plain provisions of section 566 of the Penal Code.
It was alleged in the indictment that the “defendants” made the false and fraudulent representations therein alleged. This should be deemed an allegation that each of the defendants made such representations, and sufficient as to each.
The appellant further urges that the people, on the trial, failed to make out a case that authorized the comiction of defendant. The people were compelled to show the representations, their falsity, that they were known to be false by defendant, and that the complainant relied upon them. The alleged representations were: That D. Beers & Co., who had an office at Wilson, N. Y., had a charter from the United States government, that would last for several years. There was no danger of McCann’s entering into the arrangement proposed by defendants, to give them two notes, one for $100 and one for $200, for 20 bushels of oats, in consideration of which D. Beers & Co. would execute a contract to afterwards sell for or buy of McCann 40 bushels of oats at $15 per bushel-, because the company was strong, and had a charter from the government of the United States. Under all the circumstances of the
Other exceptions were taken, which we have examined, but do not think it necessary to discuss. This court could not properly interfere with the discretion exercised by the trial court as to the sentence imposed upon the defendant. The judgment should be affirmed. All concur.