State v. . FlemingState v. . Fleming
- Reporters:
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- Before:
- ClakksoN
0. S., 4300, is as follows: “No one shall make entry into any lands and tenements, or term for years, but in ease where entry is givеn by law; and in snch case, not with strong hand nor with multitude of people, but only in a peaceable and easy manner; and if any man do the contrary, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
Defendants were indicted and convicted under the above statute. From the judgmеnt rendered, they appealed to the Suprеme Court. We think there was no error in the refusal of the court below to grant the defendants’ motion of nonsuit. C. S., 4643. Defendants concede the charge corrеct if there was sufficient evidence to support it to be submitted to the jury. On a motion for nonsuit, the evidence is to -be taken in the light most favorable to the State, and it is entitled to the benefit of every reasonable intendment upon the evidence, and evеry reasonable inference to be drawn therefrom.
The testimony of the prosecuting witness was to the effect that the two defendants and one W. M. Bell were together and went into the field where he was working. They were there about 20 minutes, Bate Fleming cursing and thrеatening him.
“Bate (Fleming) did all the cussing and “Will (Fleming) said ‘You aсcused us of breaking that old house open.’ ” Prosecuting witness testified he was frightened, and “I didn’t say much to him, beсause I knew it was not worth while with three of them there.” The defendant Bate Fleming’s language was profane, violent, abusive, and threatened injury to his person аnd property.
S. v. Gray, 109 N. C., at p. 792, is as follows: “In S. v. Wilson, 94 N. C., 839, and S. v. Talbot, 97 N. C., 494, it was held that though an entry on land was peaceable, and even with permission of thе owner, if, after getting upon the premises, the defеndant uses violent and abusive language and does acts calculated to intimidate, he is guilty of a forcible entry; that though ‘not at first a trespasser, he became such as soon as he put himself in forcible оpposition to the owner.’ ”
In the present cаse there was no weapon, but the inequality of numbеrs, together with the threatening attitude, was such force as was calculated to intimidate or put in feаr. The language used was such as was calculatеd, and no doubt intended, to bring about a breach of the peace. The number indicated a demonstration of force. S. v. Simpson, 12 N. C., p. 504; S. v. Davenport, 156 N. C., p. 596; S. v. Tyndall, 192 N. C., p. 559.
Dr. P. A. Nicholson, a witness of the State, was asked the question: “Do you know their general reputation? The answer being, ‘Yes, I have heard their rеputation is good except for making liquor. They hаve been arrested and convicted.’ ” Defendants moved the court below to strike out the answer, and to the refusal, excepted and assigned error. *44 The assignment of error cannot be sustained. It is the accepted rule that a witness may do this of his own volition. S. v. Butler, 177 N. C., p. 585; Davis v. Long, 189 N. C., 129. S. v. Colson, 193 N. C., 236, is in full accord with this rule.
For the reasons given, we can find
No error.