People v. Page, 1 Idaho 189

People v. Page

1 Idaho 189 | Idaho | 1868

Cummins, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court,

McBride, O. J., and Kelly, J., concurring.

The defendant was indicted under the eighty-ninth section of the act concerning crimes and punishments, for having in his possession counterfeit gold dust with intent to pass the same for the purpose of defrauding one Sam Stewart, knowing such dust to be counterfeit. A trial and conviction was had, whereupon the defendant moved in arrest of judgment certain objections to the grand jury who found and presented the indictment, which motion being denied, a motion for a new trial was then made, which being also denied, an appeal is brought to this court.

The errors assigned, in the order I will proceed to discuss them, were: 1. In permitting the prosecution to call one Koenisberger as a witness after the defendant had rested his case; and, 2. The instructions of the court to the jury at the trial.

From the bill of exceptions it appears that under the direction of the court, one Cavalli, an assayer, made assays of three distinct parcels of what purported to be gold dust, coming from the hands of the prisoner, one lot passed by *194bim on the prosecuting witness, Sam Stewart, another on one John Clarrisy, and the third found on his person at the time of his arrest, which assays Cavalli reported to the court. A few questions only were asked Cavalli while on the stand, by both the prosecution and the defendant, concerning the assay made of the dust alleged to have been passed by the prisoner on the prosecuting witness, and he was then dismissed. On the next day the defendant called Koenisberger to prove that the assay of the dust passed on the prosecutor, made by Cavalli, was incorrect, this last witness swearing that according to his assay it was worth much more than appeared from the former assay. After the defense was concluded, the prosecution asked leave to call Koenisberger to show that he had made an assay also from each of the other parcels of dust above referred to, for the purpose of rebutting the attempted impeachment of Cavalli’s assays, which was allowed. To this defendant excepted and now complains of the same as error, claming that it is not rebutting evidence, and hence was not admissible.

This evidence was rightly received by the court. The defendant called Koenisberger for the purpose of showing that the assays of Cavalli were erroneous. He inquires of the witness as to the one assay alone, made of the parcel of dust passed on the prosecutor. As to these assays they differ widely. Now, it is a very plausible and forcible inference to be drawn from this testimony that the other two assays made by Cavalli are, at least, subject to strong suspicion as to their correctness. And yet no inquiries could be made concerning them on the cross-examination of Koenisberger when first called by the defendant, as that would not have been responsive to the direct examination. Still there is a new character given to the evidence, and given by the defendant, by evidence it was not possible nor necessary for the people to have anticipated. As I have remarked, the testimony of Koenisberger, when first called, was not confined in its effects to the particular assay about which he was interrogated; but it extended with equal force to the other assays made by the same party. Now, rebutting evidence is defined to be that which is given to explain, repel, *195counteract or disprove facts given in evidence by the adverse party, and the evidence in this case comes clearly witbin tbis definition.

It is a general rule, says an eminent author, that anything may be given as rebutting evidence which is a direct reply to that produced on the other side. It was merely assumed by the counsel for the defendant that the evidence objected to was not rebutting in its character, but original. But this was simply assuming the whole argument, and weighs but lightly when endeavoringto arrive at a justdetermination of a mooted question. So far as his evidence affected the correctness of the two assays concerning which inquiry was made under objection, it was new and was called out by the adverse party. Hence, the testimony in question was properly admitted at the trial.

The second error assigned, that involving the correctness of the instructions given the jury, presents a question of more difficulty. The rule laid down in the charge goes quite as far as the doctrine of presumptions in criminal eases can safely be carried.

In giving an analysis of the offense charged, the court very properly said that it consisted of the possession of a counterfeit or spurious article of gold dust, the knowing it to be such, and the passing or attempting to pass it with the intent to defraud. The instruction was also undoubtedly correct that if the jury believed beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had and passed or attempted to pass a debased or counterfeit article of gold dust knowing its spurious character, the conclusion necessarily follows that he intended to defraud. It is said by Mr. Wharton in his treatise on American criminal law, that on the trial of an indictment for uttering a forged instrument, if the jury are satisfied that the prisoner uttered the instrument as true, meaning it to be taken as such, and that he knew it to be forged, they are bound to infer the intent to defraud. (Bee. 1456.) The intention to defraud is but one of the three principal elements of the crime imputed to the defendant, and it was not said by the court that the proof of certain circumstances was conclusive of the pris*196oner’s guilt, as seemed to be tbe understanding of counsel, but was simply conclusive of bis intention to defraud. If it is admitted tbat tbe prisoner bad a counterfeit article of gold dust in bis possession, knowing it to be snob, and passed or attempted to pass it as a genuine article, it is impossible to escape tbe conclusion tbat be intended to defraud, for tbat is the inevitable consequence of bis act. Hence tbe language of tbe court tbat if tbe jury found tbe existence of tbe enumerated circumstances it was conclusive evidence of tbis intent; tbat is, tbe prisoner could not admit all tbe other facts, and then be heard in an attempt to rebut tbe presumption of fraudulent intention alone.

Allusion was- also made on the argument to tbe fact tbat tbe genuine gold dust in circulation ranged in value from eight to sixteen dollars per ounce, and tbat in view of tbis fact, together with tbe evidence tbat one of tbe assays showed tbe dust passed on tbe prosecutor to be worth some eight dollars per ounce, the instructions in relation to what was “counterfeit gold dust” was prejudicial to tbe prisoner. I think not. No definite amount or proportion of relative difference in tbe actual value of genuine gold dust as it is found in its natural state and that which is counterfeit, as it is termed by tbe law, is required. It is sufficient that it be debased, even though it be to a very inconsiderable extent, and tbat tbe party uttering it is cognizant of tbis fact, and passes it for a genuine article, meaning it to be taken as such. If the party receiving be defrauded or might have been bad tbe attempt to utter been successful, tbe offense is complete, tbe guilty knowledge being established . And to tbis extent only do tbe instructions go on this point. It is tbe object of the law to prevent tbe adulteration or alteration of the precious metals taken from our mines and entering largely into the circulating medium with us, by artificial means or agencies for tbe purpose of passing it for more than its real value, or than it might if left as it was when produced from tbe mine. Hence, all attempts at giving it an appearance by means of foreign substances, or in any manner changing its natural appear-*197anee, or manufacturing wholly or in part from base metals an article to resemble gold dust, as it is commonly denominated, with tbe intent of passing the same as genuine, as above stated, all these are acts of counterfeiting gold dust.

The last point of objection made to the charge to the jury, urged by the defendant, which it is necessary to examine, is the instruction that it was sufficient evidence of the prisoner’s knowledge that the dust was a counterfeit or spurious article, to establish the fact that it was spurious or non-genuine, and that he attempted to or did pass the the same. That is, the prosecution had made out a 'prima facie ease, sufficient to put the prisoner on his proof, when these facts were established beyond all reasonable doubt; that on the establishment of these points the fact that he knew it to be such is presumed by the law, and unless this presumption be rebutted or in some manner explained away by the defendant, the jury are warranted in returning a verdict of guilty.

The general rule in the criminal law is that every person is supposed to contemplate the result and know the nature of his acts, so that when the acts which constitute the crime are established, the guilt is presumed. In murder, where the life as well as the liberty of the defendant is in jeopardy, where the homicide is established against the party accused, the malice and guilty purpose are implied. Although the law requires the joint operation of act and intention to. constitute guilt, yet the intention is in the most henious offenses which are followed by the most extreme penalties, implied by the act or acts committed.

Guilty purpose is presumed from the establishment of the facts of an unlawful or forbidden act. And this rule is not confined to any particular class of cases.. It is the general rule of the criminal law of evidence. It is not even confined to those special statutory crimes which create offenses, and make their existence depend upon the guilty act and knowledge of the person charged.

In Massachusetts in the case of the Commonwealth v. Elwell, 2 Metc. 190, a defendant was indicted under the statute for the crime of adultery. The offense consisted in unlaw*198ful intercourse with Elizabeth It. Eosburgh, a married woman. There was no allegation of proof that the defendant knew that she was a married woman, and jet the court held that a conviction which was had under this indictment was good, and say that the “reasonable and practicable rule is that if a man shall willfully do an unlawful and criminal act, he must take upon himself all the legal and penal consequences of such act.” They further add: “It is true that in the commission of all crimes, a guilty purpose, a criminal will and motive are implied. But in general such bad motive or criminal will and purpose are implied from the criminal act itself. But if a man do an act which would be otherwise criminal, through mistake or accident, or by force, or the compulsion of others, in which his own will and mind do not instigate him to the act, or concur in it, it is matter of defense to be averred and proved on his part, if it does not arise out of the circumstances of the ease adduced on the part of the prosecution.”

In the same state where, under the statute forbidding the publication of obscene books with intent to corrupt the public morals, a defendant was indicted for that offense without charging him with knowledge, Abbott, J., held that the indictment should have averred the guilty knowledge, but in passing upon the question what was proof of such knowledge, says: “Undoubtedly in general proof that a person sold obscene books would be sufficient prima facie evidence of knowledge, and the defendant would be required to overcome it.” While he distinctly held that the indictment must contain the allegation of guilty knowledge, he as clearly laid down the rule that it would be established by the obscene publications themselves when produced. (Vide 1 Lead. Crim. Cas. 553, note.) An exception to this rule is found in its application to offenses enacted by statute against counterfeiting coin and forging bank notes, and the defendant insists upon extending the exception to the case now before the court.

It is not pretended that there is any precedent on the subject, or that there is any special reason showing that the rule as applied in the court below would be harsh or likely *199ever to lead to unjust consequences. But because of some supposed analogy between this and offenses for counterfeiting coin or forging instruments, the exception ought to be applied.

In Ohio where the possession of and secretly keeping instruments for counterfeiting coin or currency is made a felony by statute, the courts hold that the fact of secret possession is proof of guilty knowledge, and requires the party charged to explain and show his innocence. (Ohio Crim. L. 282.)

If a man desires to protect himself against the danger of passing a spurious article of gold dust he can always do so. It is not a lawful tender in discharge of pecuniary obligations. He is neither compelled to receive it nor to pay it out. The facility and certainty of ascertaining its actual value by assay or tests known to business men are everywhere available in this country. But in countries wrhere coin and notes are the currency, any one is liable to be imposed on by a simulated article, with no adequate means of detecting its bad or vicious character. And because an innocent man might pass a counterfeit article of coin or paper currency with no purpose of crime, and to prevent a conviction in such cases, the courts have held that the guilty knowledge should not be inferred, but should be proved by other and additional testimony. The reason for the exception has no application in the passing of spurious dust. He can know by a test whether it is good or bad, and need not remain in ignorance unless willfully and willingly in a ease of doubt. And a rule which would release him from the necessity of using such diligence as honesty requires, would be in the interest of crime instead of justice. The commercial wants of the territory do not by any means demand such an article as a circulating currency. And if dealt in as an article of commerce simply, with but little expense and caution, the most unskillful or least experienced need never be imposed upon or cheated.

As an objection to this proposition or rule of- law, it was urged by the defendant’s counsel that such a rule would convict all or nearly all of the people in the territory. This *200assumption may be admitted as a very strong statement of the case, but there certainly is very little argument in it. It may be true that a very large majority of those who have dealt or are dealing in gold dust, or receiving and paying it out as money in their ordinary business occupations, have at some time passed a counterfeit article, but it is equally true that it is very easy for an innocent party to establish his innocence beyond all question.

The ease, facility, and certainty with which the spurious article can be detected, as I have already remarked, when compared to the difficulty of detecting counterfeit coin or forged instruments, requires that innocent dealers, for their own protection against imposition, and in occasional instances, against the necessity of establishing their honesty of purpose in passing it, should at least exercise diligence and caution in receiving gold dust of any character or appearance whatever.

Hence, from as thorough and full an examination of this case as the circumstances and occasion will permit, I am fully persuaded that the instructions of the court below at the trial were correct, and that the rules of law governing cases under this statute, which I may here remark, is peculiar almost alone to our criminal code, was rightly apprehended and given in charge to the jury. The instructions throughout are succinct and lucid, and free from objection on all points upon which they treat.

The judgment, therefore, of the court below is affirmed.