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Riddle v. State
49 Ala. 389
Ala.
1873
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B. F. SAFFOLD, J.

— Tbe indictment was for assault and battery. It does not appear from tbe bill of exceptions, wbicb professes to set out all- of tbe evidence, that tbe offence was proved to have been committed in Barbour County. Section 4114 of tbe Revised Code enacts-“ It is- not necessary to allege where tbe offence was committed; but it must be proved on tbe trial to- have been committed within tbe jurisdiction of tbe county in wbicb tbe indictment is preferred.” We cannot * gainsay the recitals- of tbe bill of exceptions, and a conviction on testimony less than sufficient to make out the case against tbe accused is* necessarily erroneous. Brick. Dig. p. 514.

2. Tbe remark of tbe accused to tbe person beaten, “ If I bad known you were a> one-legged man, I would not have struck you,” made as soon as- tbe Mow was given, was a part of tbe res gestee, and admissible evidence, tending to affect tbe punishment to be imposed.

3. It is difficult to- say what tbe law is in this State respecting the1 justification of an assault and battery. Rev. Code, § 4198, makes opprobrious words or abusive language a justification, as the1 jury may determine. But if the person to whom such language is- addressed cannot beat tbe other, it goes for nothing. Merely being struck first is not a justification, for then- we could' not have a case of affray. Generally, the facts- convey a correct impression to tbe jury of tbe degree of - blame to be attached to tbe offender.

Tbe judgment is reversed, and tbe cause remanded.

Case Details

Case Name: Riddle v. State
Court Name: Supreme Court of Alabama
Date Published: Jun 15, 1873
Citation: 49 Ala. 389
Court Abbreviation: Ala.
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