People v. McCrea

| Cal. | Jul 1, 1867

By the Court, Sawyer, J.:

McCrea was jointly indicted with Jones, in the case of People v. Jones, 30 Cal. 565, for an assault with intent to rob Hong Koy, but separately tried. The evidence is very much like the evidence in the case of Jones. Some of the same errors were committed in admitting testimony that we have pointed out in that case, and it is unnecessary to consider them further.

We also think there was error in refusing to admit the testimony of Baird, Kincaid and some others, as to circumstances tending to identify the day on which defendant was at Baird’s claim. We think the evidence excluded was admissible for that purpose. It was claimed by defendant that he was at Baird’s claim on the morning of the 26th, at the very time when the robbery was claimed to have been committed, and, therefore, that it could not have been committed by him. There was testimony tending to show that he was at Baird’s claim on some occasion about that time, and it was important to identify the precise time, and any circumstances which would tend to fix the time were admissible for that purpose.

The testimony offered as to the description given by the Chinaman to Kincaid of the parties who made the assault was properly excluded. It was mere hearsay testimony.

Sheriff Poole, under objection and exception on the part of the defendant, testified in regard to conversations which took place on a day subsequent to the alleged robbery in the presence of the prisoner. He stated: “I asked the Chinaman (Hong Koy) if he knew this man (pointing to defendant, McCrea). -The Chinaman said, yes. He, the Chinaman, then took hold of my arm and showed me how defendant had tried to rob him. The Chinaman said : You are the man who tried to rob me. He then told me how it was done. * * * After the Chinaman had concluded his statement, McCrea remarked: That will do; I can prove where I was that day; which was all he said in the conversation.”

Admissions and confessions may be implied from the acquiescence of the party in the statements of others made in his presence, when the circumstances are such as afford an opportunity to act or speak, and would naturally call for some action or reply from men similarly situated. (1 Green. Ev. Secs. 197, 215 ; Joy on Confessions, 77.) And it makes no difference that the statements which call for a reply are made by a party who is incompetent to testify.

In Rex v. Bartlett, 7 Car. and Pay. 832, on a trial of an indictment for murder, the following statement of the wife, in presence of the husband, the defendant in the case, and his reply, were offered in evidence. The statement of the wife was as follows : “ Oh, Bartlett, how could you do it? ” He looked steadfastly at her and said: “ Ah! what! you accuse me of murder, too ! ” She said: “ I do, Bartlett; you are the man that shot my mother.” The prisoner did not make any reply. She then turned to the witness, and said: “ This is done for money.” This testimony was held admissible. In Hex v. Smithers 5 Car. and Pay. 332, also an .indictment for murder, effected by setting fire to a house, it was held that “ observations made to the prisoner by his wife on the subject of the fire, to which he made an evasive reply,” were admissible. The Judges said that the fact that the wife “ could not be called as a witness did not vary the general rule, that whatever was said to a prisoner on the subject matter of the charge, to which he made no direct answer, was receivable as evidence of an implied admission on his part.” (See, also, Neile v. Jakle, 2 Car. and Kir. 790.) The rule recognized by these authorities is clearly broad enough to cover the testimony in question. But these statements are admitted, not as of themselves evidence of the truth of the facts stated, but simply to show what it is that calls for a reply, and the action of the defendant himself under the circumstances, as indicating an acquiescence in, or repudiation of, the truth of the statement. His own action under the circumstances in which he is placed, is the matter to be considered and weighed by the jury. The degree of credit due to such evidence of implied admissions is to be estimated by the jury under the circumstances of each case. But jurors should be cautioned not to allow their attention to be diverted from the conduct of the prisoner—the real matter to be considered—to the statements of the third party, as containing the evidence of the facts sought to be established. To do so, would be to receive and give effect to statements which, except for the purpose of showing the circumstances under which the prisoner is called upon to act or speak, would be wholly inadmissible. The prisoner, at best, is taken at a disadvantage, and is bound to reply or not reply, at his peril, to the inquiries or statements of any officious intermeddler who may be able to obtain access to him. There was no error-in admitting this testimony; but the jury are to judge whether the action or answer of the defendant was, under all the circumstances, entitled to any, and how much weight, as indicative of an admission of guilt.

The judgment must, however, be reversed and a new trial had, in consequence of other errors noticed, and it is so ordered.