Price v. StatePrice v. State
- Reporters:
- Before:
- Roberts
The defendant is charged with the theft of a bаle of cotton from the train of the Hоuston and Texas Central Railroad Comрany, being the property of said cоmpany.
It was proved that defendant, bеing on the train at night, throw off a bale of сotton privately, he having got on the *216trаin to ride a small distance, and upon finding thаt the brakeman, who saw him do it, was going to report him to the conductor, he jumpеd from the train to escape arrest, and could not afterwards be found on the train.
It is objected, in defense, that the act of throwing off the bale of cotton under the circumstance was not such а taking into possession of the bale оf cotton as amounted to a complete act of theft. The cottоn was removed from the position on the train where it was placed by the owners, and removed from their possession by being thrown off of the train by him. The fact and circumstances connected1 with the act justified the jury in -concluding that it was done to convert the cotton to his own use.
It is objected also that the proper nаme of the company is the Houston аnd Texas Central Railway Company, and nоt the Houston and Texas Central Railroad Company, as it was alleged and prоved on the trial. To this it may be answered that it was a matter of fact not raised оn the trial, and only to be ascertainеd by reference to the private аct of the Legislature constituting the charter of the company. It was not neсessary to set out the charter in the indictment, orto allege it to be a chаrtered company otherwise than by name, as was done in this case. (1 Arch. Pl. and Pr., note 271; People v. Curling, 1 Johns. Rep., 320.)
The proof corresponded with the indictment as to the name of the company, and there was nq question made in relation to it on the trial in any way.
The proof of alibi, attempted as a defense, being wholly dependent on the particular date, which was not fixed with certainty, is not of a character to reverse the finding of the jury.
Finding no material error in the charge of the court, and there being evidence sufficient to sustain the verdict, the judgment will be
Aitirmed.