26 N.M. 384 | N.M. | 1920
OPINION OP THE COURT.
The appellant was tried upon an indictment charging murder, and was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not less tMn 9 nor more than 10 years, from which judgment this appeal is prosecuted.
The theory of the state was that the appellant shot and killed his wife just as she was entering a house in which her alleged paramour was staying. The claim of the defense was that she entered the house, and that appellant upon entering the house found his wife on a bed with a man, and in an attempt to kill the man he accidentally killed his wife by shooting her. The circumstances were such that the appellant might have invoked the statute (section 1468, Code 1915), which declares. that a man may justifiably kill another who is in the act of having carnal knowledge of his wife, with whom he is then living as husband and wife. The jury necessarily refused to follow the theory of the prosecution to the effect that the woman was shot before she entered the house, else they could not have found the appellant guilty of involuntary manslaughter. If she was shot outside of the house, the act must have been intentional. On the other hand the jury must have followed the theory of the defense, to the effect that she had entered the house and was unintentionally killed, but not under circumstances which entirely justified the appellant. In reaching this conclusion some physical facts which tended to show that she was shot before she ever entered the house were.disregarded by the jury. However, it was the province of the jury to determine the facts and they have found otherwise.
Appellant was allowed to, and did, prove by the reporter who reported the case upon the habeas corpus proceedings, that the witness did give the testimony in question upon that hearing, except as to that mentioned in the last question referred to in the briefs, and in that case the objection was properly sustained, for the reason that the testimony called for did not contradict any testimony given by the witness in the present trial.
We have then a case where the court has erroneously, we may assume, but without so deciding, excluded a question, asked for the purpose of laying a foundation for impeachment, but where the appellant has subsequently shown that the witness did previously 'testify as shown by the question which was excluded.
A casual view of the reason underlying the rule upon this subject will be sufficient to show that there is no error here of which appellant can complain. The rule is that before proof of previous statements, contrary to the present testimony of the witness, may be shown, the previous statement and the circumstances under which the statement was made, sufficient to identify the occasion, must be called to the attention of the. witness. This rule is statutory in this jurisdiction. Section 2178, Code 1915. The object of the requirement is to afford the witness an opportunity to deny the statement, if he did not make it, or to admit it if he did make it, and to make such explanation of the apparent contradiction as he may have. Section 5, Chamb. Mod. Law Ev. §§ 3756, 3757; 2 Wig. Ev. §§ 1025, 1035; 5 Jones, Ev. § 846.
The protection furnished by the rule is for the benefit of the witness, n.ot for the parties. And when, as in this case, the appellant was permitted to show by the reporter of the habeas corpus proceedings the former statement by the witness, without foundation having been laid, it was the witness, if anybody, and not the appellant, who suffered injury.
In this connection, it is to be recalled that the theory of the prosecution was that the woman was shot by the husband before she ever entered the room. The theory of the defense, however, was, as before stated, that she had entered the room, and was upon the bed with a man whom the appellant tried to kill by shooting. He justified his act under the statute heretofore mentioned, and claimed accidental killing of his wife. The state justified the introduction of evidence that the woman was menstruating at the time upon the theory that it tends to contradict the appellant and to render improbable his claim that the woman was on the bed with the man in the act of having sexual intercourse with him. In view of all these circumstances, we can see no error in the admission of this testimony. It is true that the testimony would have been admissible in chief as a part of the res gestae, but at that time the fact was of no importance, under the, theory of the prosecution. It became material and important after the appellant had attempted to justify on the grounds stated. No attempt was made to contradict this evidence, and no claim is made in the brief of counsel that it could be contradicted. The claim seems to be simply that on account of the character of the testimony, it was highly damaging to the appellant, and made a profound impression upon the minds of the jurors. This may be admitted, but we know of no rule of law which prevents the production of a fact, no matter how damaging, if the same is competent and relevant. Counsel for appellant devoted themselves in the citation of authorities to cases and texts forbidding the introduction of evidence in rebuttal which has been improperly suppressed when the case in chief was developed before the jury. Of course, in such cases the courts will not tolerate its introduction in rebuttal. There is nothing of this kind apparent in this case. It was not, during the progress of the case in chief material to show that the woman was menstruating if, as claimed by the prosecution, she was shot down before she ever entered the room.
In this connection it is to be further noted that appellant was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. This conclusion could have been reached by the jury only upon the theory the deceased was upon the bed with the man, and that appellant, in attempting to shoot the man, shot his wife. It thus appears that the jury adhered to appellant’s theory of the transaction, but convicted on the theory that he did the act without due caution or circumspection. Hence the evidence objected to did not operate to inflame the minds of the jurors and cause them to depart from appellant’s theory of the transaction by convicting him of a higher degree of homicide. He was therefore probably not injured by the testimony. But just what effect the testimony had it is impossible to say. It is clear that it did not cause the jury to believe that deceased was.shot outside of the door, as claimed by the prosecution, and that- the jury believed she was shot accidentally while on the bed with the man is equally clear. But whether the evidence, introduced as it was at the very close of the case, might have caused a conviction, where otherwise an acquittal might have resulted, cannot be determined, although there seems to be no logical or legal reason to so conclude under the circumstances. In discussing the application of the rule, it will be assumed, therefore, that the admission of the evidence was harmful to the .appellant.
Theoretically, the rule upon the subject of order of proof is that the proponent, or plaintiff, should first exhaust his entire proof in support of his allegations. The opponent, or defendant, should then be called upon to -exhaust his entire proof in denial of proponent’s case or in support of his affirmative defense. Thereupon a proponent may, by way of rebuttal, introduce evidence tending to contradict the proofs offered by the opponent. And the opponent then may often bring forward, by way of surrebuttal, facts to overcome the proofs on rebuttal, and so on until the whole field of relevant facts lias been covered. In these successive stages of proof the acting party is confined to such evidence as will tend to overcome^ modify or explain that of his adversary adduced in the next preceding stages of the proof.
It is apparent, however, to every one who has liad experience in legal trials, that in almost every case circumstances arise which disturb the strict enforcement of the procedural rule. The rule, if strictly enforced, may become an instrument of oppression or injustice, instead of one to promote justice, the development of truth, and the due enforcement of the law. Hence the rule has come to be considered a rule of administration or procedure, and not a rule of right upon which a party may insist. It follows that some, one must have the power to vary the order of proof to meet the exigencies of any given trial, to the end that justice may be done, and that power is vested in the trial judge. The proposition, therefore, as it is generally formulated in the text-book and cases, is that the power to vary the natural order of proof rests in the sound judicial discretion of the trial court. In some jurisdictions this discretion is held not to be reviewable. An early New Mexico case is to this effect. Territory v. O’Donnel, 4 N. M. 196, 210, 12 Pac. 743. The great weight of authority, however, is to the effect that the action of the trial court is reviewable for gross abuse of discretion in this regard. Some of the later New Mexico cases assume and some announce this rule. Holthoff v. Freudenthal et al., 22 N. M. 377, 162 Pac. 173; Hodges v. Hodges, 22 N. M. 192, 159 Pac. 1007; State v. Riddle, 23 N. M. 600, 605, 170 Pac. 62; State v. Rodriguez, 23 N. M. 156, 172, 167 Pac. 426, L. R. A. 1918 A, 1016; State v. Cason, 23 N. M. 77, 81, 167 Pac. 283.
The question most frequently arises in criminal cases upon the admissibility of evidence for the state in rebuttal, as in the present case. The rule of judicial discretion is here applied as before stated. A distinction is noted in some cases to the effect that if the evidence tends to rebut the evidence of the defendant, the fact that it also incidentally strengthens the case in chief for the state, or might have as properly been put in chief, is no ground of objection to it. This would seem to be logical, and is to be justified upon the principle of multiple admissibility. For a general discussion of the proposition of control over the order of proof see 5 Jones on Ev. § 811; 1 Chamb. Mod, Law of Ev. §§ 369, 379; 3 Wig. on Ev. §§ 1867, 1873; Abbott’s Trial Brief, Criminal (2d Ed.) p. 308; 16 C. J. § 2185. For a specific application of the doctrine to a case like the present, where there is a double quality to the rebuttal testimony, see Roberts v. State, 2 Boyce (Del.) 385, 79 Atl. 396, Ann. Cas. 1914D, 1266, and extensive note. In this note all the cases are collected and the correctness of our position upon the question is there shown.
It follows that there was no error in the ruling of the court and the appellant cannot here complain of the admission of the evidence.
Instruction No. 14, as given by the court, is as follows:
"He further instructs you that if you believe from all this evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt that at the time of the death of the deceased she was the defendant’s legal wife. and that the defendant and she were at said time living together as man and wife, and that the defendant found Narciso Montoya (in the act of having carnal knowledge of his wife, or found them together in such position as to indicate with reasonable certainty to a rational mind that they had just then committed the act of sexual intercourse, or were about to commit it), and that the defendant in the heat of passion then and there fired the fatal shot, intending to kill the deceased, then the defendant would be guilty of manslaughter.”
Instruction No. 10, as given by the court, is as follows:
“If you believe from the evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, that on the 26th day of February 1918, at the county of Lincoln and in the state of New Mexico, or at any other time within six years next prior to the 1st day of May, 1919, the day on which the indictment was returned by the grand jury in this case, the defendant, Marcelino Carabajal, did shoot off and discharge a loaded rifle at and towards the said Lolita Carabajal, thereby inflicting' in and upon the body of the said Lolita Carabajal one mortal wound, of which said mortal wound the said Lolita Carabajal then and there died, and that such shooting, wounding, and killing was unlawful and without malice within the terms of the definitions of ‘unlawful’ and ‘malice’ as heretofore given you, and that such shooting, wounding, and killing was upon a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion (or was done by the defendant while in the commission of a lawful act which might produce death, in an unlawful manner, or without due caution and circumspection) and was without excuse or justification, then you should find the defendant guilty of manslaughter.”
Appellant excepted to the fourteenth instruction as follows:
“Defendant excepts to the fourteenth instruction, given by the court, as not being a full and complete statement of law. And because same does not embody the element of the killing without premeditation and deliberation, and without malice; and because same is in conflict with an instruction previously given by the court on the subject of manslaughter, and is repugnant thereto, instruction last referred to being instruction No. 10.”
It is to be noted that the exception to the instruction ' contains several different propositions. The first is to the effect that it is not a full and complete statement of the law. This form of exception, is of no avail for the reason that it does not call to the attention of the court the particulars in which the instruction fails to be a complete statement of the law, so that the court might then and there correct the instruction and avoid error. State v. Gonzales, 19 N. M. 467, 144 Pac. 1144; Territory v. Lobato, 17 N. M. 666, 134 Pac. 222, L. R A. 1917A, 1226; James v. Hood, 19 N. M. 234, 142 Pac. 162.
“You are further instructed that it. is your province to determine from the evidence whether or not the fatal shot was fired in the heat of passion, and as to whether or not it was fired upon sudden and sufficient provocation, and if you so believe, and further believe from the evidence that the killing- of the deceased was the result of accident and misfortune, without intent upon the part of the defendant to take the life of the deceased, but in a justifiable attempt to slay the witness Montoya, as heretofore explained in these instructions, then you should acquit the defendant."
There was no error in this because the subject was fully covered by the court’s instructions Nos. 15, 16, and 17, the latter being the defendant’s requested instruction No. 10. It is a familiar rule in this jurisdiction that courts are not bound to give instructions which, even if correct, are merely cumulative, and state in another form a proposition of law already given to the jury. State v. Belisle, 22 N. M., 285, 16l Pac. 168; State v. Dickens, 23 N. M. 26, 165 Pac. 850; State v. Rodriguez, 23 N. M. 156, 167 Pac. 426, L. R. A. 1918A, 1016.
“You are further Instructed that if you find from the evidence that the situation as testified to by the defendant existed at the time the fatal shot was fired, and was such as to justify a reasonable and prudent man in believing that the. witness, Narciso Montoya,, was then and there in the act of háving carnal knowledge of defendant’s wife, with whom defendant was then living, and that defendant, as a reasonable and prudent man, so believed when he acted, and when the fatal shot was fired, the defendant intended to take the life of the witness Narciso Montoya, and did not intend to slay the deceased, then it will be your duty to return a verdict of not guilty.”
The subject-matter of this requested instruction was fully covered by the court’s instruction Nos. 13 and 15, with the same disposition as was made of the eighth re- - quested instruction.
“The court instructs the jury that if the evidence is reasonably consistent with the defendant’e innocence he should be promptly acquitted.”
This instruction was erroneous, in that it directed the jury in certain contingencies to “promptly acquit” the defendant. The court is not authorized to direct the jury to do anything which it is' their duty to do, otherwise than upon due and careful consideration. Even if the instruction, as tendered, was not open to the above objection, the appellant cannot complain of the court’s refusal to give the same. Upon this subject appellant made two requests for instructions, Nos. 14 and 15 and No. 14 was given by the court in such form as to fully cover the proposition contended for, namely, that where a man’s conduct may as consistently, from the evidence, be referred to one of the two motives, one criminal and the other innocent, it is the duty of the jury to presume that such conduct is actuated by the innocent motive, and not the criminal. The last clause of this tendered instruction was properly stricken out by the court. It was:
“In which event it will be the duty of the jury to acquit the defendant.”
It is readily seen that such a statement in such an instruction was highly improper, and its tendency was to confuse rather than clarify the subject in the minds of the jurors. It follows that the appellant is not in a position to complain here of the refusal to give the instruction.
“You are further instructed that before you can convict the defendant, each of you must be satisfied to a moral certainty and beyond a reasonable doubt, not only that proof is consistent with the defendant’s guilt, but that it is wholly inconsistent with every other rational conclusion; and, unless each of you is so convinced by the evidence of the defendant’s guilt that you would each venture to act upon that decision in matters of the highest concern and importance to your interest, then you must find the defendant not guilty.”
The subject-matter of this instruction was fully covered by the court’s instructions Nos. 23 and 25, and the appellant cannot, therefore, make any complaint here.
“You are instructed that the credit of a witness may be impeached by showing that he or she has made statements, either in or out of court, contradictory to and inconsistent with his or her testimony on the trial, concerning matters material or relevant to the issue.”
The exception in the court below to this instruction was to the effect, there being no impeachment in the case except by showing that witnesses for the prosecution had previously testified under oath in the habeas corpus proceeding, that the instruction should embody the words “under oath,” and that the instruction, as given, which would include the impeachment upon statements made, not under oath, was inapplicable to the facts before the court. It is to be observed that the language used in the instruction is “statements either in or out” of court. It is certainly a matter of common knowledge, of which the jury must necessarily be informed, that statements of witnesses “in court” are necessarily under oath.. The addition of the words “under oath” would add nothing to the instruction, and conveys to the jury no additional meaning. The appellant, therefore, is in no position to complain of this instruction, because, at most, it merely lacked scientific form, while in substance it covers the matter as fully and as intelligently as if the words had been answered.
The other portion of the exception, to the effect that the instruction, as given, was not directly applicable to the situation as presented upon the trial, is of no avail to the appellant. It is true that no witness was impeached by contradiction of statements made by him, not under oath. The instruction, therefore, while not strictly applicable to the facts, must necessarily have been entirely harmless to the appellant.
“In the trial of the criminal cases, punishment within the limits prescribed by law shall be assessed by the court in its discretion; but juries may, in their discretion, upon return of a verdict of guilty in any criminal case, recommend defend-, ant to the clemency of the court, and any such recommendation shall receive due consideration by the court.”
The penalty for manslaughter is provided by section 3461, Code 1915, and is imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of time not less than 1 year nor more than 10 years. The court after receiving this verdict sentenced the appellant to confinement in the penitentiary at hard labor for a period of not less than 9 years nor more than 10 years. Judge Mechem evidently believed that the woman was intentionally shot outside the house at the door, in the heat of passion. Therefore, after considering the jury’s recommendation to clemency, as we must assume, he declined to follow the recommendation.
The appellant argues that the statute, above quoted, gives to the defendant in a criminal case a substantial, legal right which the trial court may not ignore. In other words, appellant would have the court hold that the statute requires the court, upon such recommendation from the jury, to make some substantial concession to the defendant by way of moderation in the sentence. Just what measure should be applied in such cases is not suggested by counsel, if, indeed, any rule could be formulated upon such subject.
The question is whether the Legislature, when it enacted the statute referred to, intended that the jury’s, recommendation should be binding upon the court, or whether it should be merely advisory to the court for the purpose of moving his discretion by laying before him the opinion of the 12 jurors that the defendant should be leniently dealt with.
We have examined all of the comparatively few cases from the other jurisdictions, but find them of no value, as' the statutes upon which they are based are entirely different from ours in their provisions. The cases are collected in 16 C. J. § 2601, and in a note to State v. Arata, 56 Wash. 185, 105 Pac. 227, 21 Ann. Cas. 242.
In determining the proper interpretation of this statute, reference to previous legislation on the subject may be helpful. Previous to 1891 the juries assessed the punishment in criminal cases, except when otherwise specially provided by statute. This practice originated in the Kearney Code, and was carried forward into the Complications of 1865 (chapter 57, § 22) and 1884 (section 2468) in the following form:
“All issues of fact, in a criminal case, shall be tried by a jury, who shall assess the punishment in their verdict, and the court shall render a judgment aceordingy.”
In 1891 the Legislature departed from the former system, and by section 10 of chapter 80 of the Laws of 1891 enacted section 4447, Code 1915, above quoted. It thus appears that the Legislature in its wisdom adopted an entirely new system, intrusting to district judges the power to impose sentence upon criminal defendants, within certain prescribed statutory limits. The Legislature, by the language used, however, did not see fit, evidently, to strip the juries absolutely of all power and control over the sentence of defendant convicted of crime. It reserved to the juries still a certain measure of power in this regard, and the question is to determine just what the nature and. extent of that power .is from the language used. It is evident that the Legislature did not intend to leave with the juries an absolute power to control the discretion of the court in fixing sentences. Had it so intended it would have used language to the effect that in case of a recommendation to clemency certain definite consequences should flow therefrom. Nothing of the kind appears in the statute. On the other band, it appears that the Legislature, taking into consideration the previous history of the state, during which the juries had been the sole judges of the amount of punishment to be inflicted, deemed it expedient and proper that they might still advise the court as to their opinion, in a general way, upon the subject of the sentence of the prisoner. The statute did not authorize the jury to suggest any particular term of sentence, but merely authorized the jury to lay before the court the fact that they thought clemency might properly be shown. The final discretion and determination as to what the sentence should be was left undisturbed with the court. No other conclusion can be reached from the words used in the statute. Nor can any other workable interpretation be arrived at. If the discretion to determine the sentence rests with the court, as it evidently does, who shall say whether the court yielded enough to satisfy the suggestion of the jury in the recommendation to mercy. Endless controversy would arise in each case if the discretion of the trial judge is to be subjected to review by this court. When the district judge, sitting as he does and hearing the evidence, exercises his best judgment and discretion as to a suitable sentence, after having noted and given due consideration to the opinion of the trial jury expressed in their verdict, the defendant has received ■ all that he is entitled to under this statute.
We therefore hold that the provision of the statute authorizing a recommendation of clemency by the jury is merely for the purpose of allowing the jury to give the trial judge the benefit of their opinion as to whether clemency should be extended, and is not intended to in any manner control the ultimate discretion of the trial judge in fixing the sentence.
It follows from all the foregoing that there is no error in the judgment of the district court, and that it should be affirmed; and it is so ordered.