State v. Fleshman

40 W. Va. 726 | W. Va. | 1895

Holt, Judge:

R. R. Flesbman was convicted of forgery at tbe March term, Í895, of tbe Circuit Court of Monroe county, and sentenced to two years’ confinement in tbe penitentiary. On writ of error, be now relies upon six separate alleged errors committed by tbe trial court.

First. The demurrer to tlie indictment, for the reason tliat it was too general, and did not specify the particular part of the note forged. This was not necessary. 8 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law 500, 502. A forged note, being false in one material part or signature, is false m toto, and must be so regarded as to the person against whom the fraud is aimed.

Second and third. The forgery in this case consisted in representing the signature of one John Fleshman to be the signature of another person of the same name, with fraudulent intent. 8 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law 464, 467; State v. Dennett, 19 La. Ann. 395; Pennsylvania v. Misner, Add. 44; Com. v. Foster, 114 Mass. 312. Such being the case the venue of the crime was properly proven, and the evidence of Charles A. Brown as to the conduct and representation of the accused properly admitted.

Fourth. In both counts of the indictment the note alleged to have been forged is set out in haee verba, as follows, to wit: “$250.00. Six months after date, we promise to pay Charles A. Brown two hundred and fifty dollars, for value received, with 6 per cent. int. from date. This Decr. 17th, 1892. R. R. Fleshman. (Seal.) Allen Fleshman. (Seal.) John Fleshman. (Seal.)” It was unnecessary under section 6, chapter 158 of the Code, to do so, but only to describe the note as in an indictment for larceny; but, being set out, it must be proved as alleged. . A material variance between the allegata and probata on the trial of an indictment for larceny is fatal. 12 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law 865. And it must be equally so in trials for forgery. The note offered in evidence corresponds in all respects with the note set out in the indictment, except the latter contains the additional words “with 6 per cent. int. from date.” These words materially change the substance and' the legal effect of the notes, and it is a matter of impossibility to reconcile this difference, and pronounce them to be identically the same note. The accused having objected to the admission of the evidence, it should have been excluded. 8 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law 517; State v. Fay, 65 Mo. 490.

This being plain and prejudicial error, it becomes unne--essaryto decidetheothertwo assignments, to wit, the refusal to grant a continuance, and the misbehavior of the counsel in the argument of the ease, as the errors committed, if such, can be avoided on retrial. Suffice it to say, that a reasonable opportunity should be afforded the accused to obtain his witnesses, and prepare for trial, and counsel in argument should be required to confine themselves to the facts in evidence before the jury.

For the error aforesaid, the judgment is reversed, the verdict set aside, and a new trial awarded, and the case is remanded for further proceedings in accordance with law.