Defendant-appellant, Charles Jiles, was indicted for murder in tbe first degree for the killing of his únele, Booker Hinton.
*1327 Trial resulted- in a verdict of murder in the second degree and appeal followed.
The fatal shot was fired in a home occupied by defendant and his mother. Present at time of the shooting was defendant’s blind mother Minnie Hess, and Louise Hood, a former wife of decedent Hinton.
Defendant arrived home about 9 p.m., October 18, 1964, drank some wine, talked to his mother and Mrs. Hood, and shortly after midnight had a long-distance telephone conversation with his girl friend then visiting in Michigan. The mother interrupted on an extension phone voicing some complaint about cost of the call.
As a result of this intrusion defendant and his mother engaged in a heated argument.
The mother started singing and praying, then finally called Hinton, her brother, requesting he come and take her to the home of a cousin to stay for the night.
When Hinton arrived Mrs. Hess was waiting outside the home, having been taken there by Mrs. Hood. Defendant was standing in the doorway. Hinton got out of Ins car, walked up on the porch and started arguing with defendant. During the course of this argument Hinton pulled a .45 caliber revolver from his clothing and struck defendant with it. The pistol was then knocked from Hinton’s hand and it fell to the kitchen floor. There was a scramble for the weapon but defendant reached it first and the two men then began scuffling. There was a shot fired from the pistol which went into the kitchen floor. The scuffling continued and the men finally moved from the kitchen into the living room.
Defendant then swung Hinton against the wall and said, “this is it”, and fired. That statement is denied by defendant.
In any event the bullet struck Hinton in the abdomen. He then went to his car, drove a block away, and was from there taken to a hospital by another relative. He died on the operating table.
Defendant contends his conviction cannot stand because of error by the trial court in the following: (1) Permitting presentation of nonsimilated opinion evidence by an expert witness; *1328 (2) the giving of certain instructions relative to malice;' and (3) failing to instruct as to the meaning of presumption or inference, 'and on the right of defendant to arm himself. We find no reversible error in any of these particulars.
I. Warren G-. Johnson, special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was called to testify for the State.
Defendant does not challenge the competency or qualifications of this witness. He claims opinion eAddence by an expert witness must be foundationed upon experiments made with conditions shoAvn to be the same as those existing at time of the controverted event.
The witness Johnson’s testimony Avas confined to laboratory inspections, tests and experiments involving Hinton’s trousers, shirt and jacket, the revolver in question and four shells, three of which had been fired, and his knowledge as a ballistic expert.
■ Defendant appears to direct his most vigorous challenge to admissibility of opinion testimony by this witness as it relates to distance from pistol to person when the fatal shot was fired.
In that connection some of the illustrative questions and answers are as follows:
“Q. I would next like to have you examine State’s Exhibit —that is the blue shirt there. A. State’s Exhibit ‘N’.
“Q. Yes. Would you first identify whether you examined State’s Exhibit ‘N’ ? A. I did.
“Q. What tests did you do on State’s Exhibit ‘N’ and what were the results? A. I examined the shirt microscopically for the gunpowder and gunpowder residues.
“Q. Then what? A. I then processed this shirt chemically for the purpose of finding gunpowder. The microscopic examination filed [sic] to shoAv a gunpowder or gunpowder residues. The chemical examination disclosed a small amount of powder residue immediately surrounding the hole in the shirt.
“Q. In the course of firing a weapon or specifically the course of firing State’s Exhibit ‘O’, which is the pistol in this case, can you state whether or not a bullet fired from State’s Exhibit ‘O’ will carry -with it any part of the powder on the bullet itself? A. Yes, sir, it will.
“Q. Powder residues deposited around the bullet hole on *1329 State’s Exhibit ‘N’ other than immediately around the hole would have to come from where? A. The powder residue other than that immediately around the hole would have to come from the barrel of the weapon.
“Q. Would you indicate whether your examination of State’s Exhibit ‘N’, the shirt, indicated such powder residues? A. I found no powder residues surrounding this hole other than the immediate area of the hole itself.
“Q. During your examination of State’s Exhibit ‘N’, which is the shirt, do you have an opinion as to how far from the shirt, State’s Exhibit ‘O’ would have had to have been held at the time of firing the shot which produced the hole in State’s Exhibit ‘N’? A. Yes, sir.
“Q. Would you state what that opinion is? A. The absence of a significant pattern of gunpowder residues surrounding a bullet hole precludes the stating of an actual distance at which the weapon was held from the garment.
“Q. Would you have an opinion as to what the minimum distance from the garment, State’s Exhibit ‘N’, the shirt — what minimum distance there would, be between the shirt and the gun, State’s Exhibit ‘O’, this distance would normally be? A. Yes.
“Q. Would you state what that opinion is? A. This distance would normally be three to four feet.
“Q. Would this have been minimum or the maximum distance that the gun would be from the shirt ? A. This would have been the maximum distance, the muzzle to garment, three to four feet.
“Q. Maximum distance? A. The gunpowder particles would appear on the garment; beyond three to four feet they would not appear.”
Based upon the scientific experiments disclosed by this testimony, the witness Johnson concluded the weapon had been held a distance of at least three or four feet from Booker Hinton when the fatal shot was fired.
Then, as the result of other scientifically proper tests, he was also of the opinion the shot fired into the body of Hinton *1330 came from the subject revolver. His testimony in that area was as follows :
“Q. "Would you examine State’s Exhibit ‘T’ and indicate whether or not you have seen it before ? A. Yes, sir, I have.
“Q. Would you indicate what it is? A. This is a .45 caliber bullet manufactured by Remington or Peters.
“Q. And what tests or test, what examination did you make of this bullet ? A. I examined the bullet to determine whether or not it was capable of being fired in a weapon like State’s Exhibit ‘O’, whether there were sufficient marks on this bullet to identify a specific weapon from which it was fired.
“Q. And what were the results of your tests? A. I test-fired State’s Exhibit ‘O’, I recovered the bullet and microscopically compared the bullet with State’s Exhibit ‘T’. This was done with a comparison microscope which is two- lenses instead of a single one so that you look down and see on one side the evidence bullet and on the other side the test bullet that you fired in the laboratory, then by moving the two bullets around simultaneously you get an actual side-by-side comparison of the marks.
“Q. What did this reveal as to State’s Exhibit ‘T’ as the bullets showed? A. In my opinion this bullet was fired by State’s Exhibit ‘O’ to the exclusion of all other weapons.”
In the landmark case of Grismore v. Consolidated Products Co.,
In the same case we said at pages 343, 344 of the Iowa *1331 Reports, supra: “There are many matters of scientific investigation and specialized knowledge in the fields of the professions, trades, business, industry, art, and other endeavors, where the minds of those not learned therein necessarily grope but blindly. Expert opinion in such cases is indispensable to aid the jurors in reaching- a correct conclusion, and the fact that the matter inquired about is a vital and controlling fact in the trial, or is even the ultimate fact which the jury are to pass upon and determine, is no reason why the opinion should not be received.”
As is indicated in State v. Miller,
In the case now before us an opinion as to minimum distance the revolver was held from decedent Hinton at the time the fatal shot was fired, was a matter reasonably within the realm of competent expert evidence and would certainly aid the jury in arriving at its ultimate conclusion. The same is true as to conclusions reached upon the basis of ballistic tests conducted.
In support of the foregoing see also Smith v. Cedar Rapids Country Club,
*1332 Subject to certain rather well defined limitations, there is no logical basis upon which to prohibit the presentation of opinion evidence by qualified persons based upon generally acceptable and scientifically established facts, or of post-event experiments conducted under conditions which are shown to be the same as or reasonably similar to those existing at the time and place of such event.
We are satisfied there was no abuse of discretion by the trial court in permitting this F. B. I. agent to voice his opinions and conclusions based upon experience, knowledge and experiments clearly shown to be acceptable and proper under the circumstances.
II. Defendant also voices objection to the court’s instructions going to the element of malice involved in the crime of murder.
Instruction 9 stated, in part, murder perpetrated deliberately, premeditatedly and willfully constitutes murder in the first degree, and deliberation and premeditation may be established by circumstantial as well as by direct evidence.
This instruction then concluded with the statement that use of a deadly weapon, with opportunity to deliberate, is evidence of malice, deliberation, premeditation and intent to kill.
The main thrust of defendant’s challenge is seemingly directed to this concluding statement. It is apparently his contention the court should have said use of a deadly weapon creates an inference rather than being evidence of malice.
Inferentially then, defendant concedes use of a deadly weapon creates an inference or presumption of malice and intent to kill. He argues use of a deadly weapon cannot constitute evidence of these elements.
In this connection he also apparently contends that where there is competent evidence in a case rebutting a presumption the parties are back where they started, which may be correct in theory but usually answers little in actual practice.
This is the so-called “dissipation concept”, also sometimes classified as the Wigmore-Thayer Doctrine. Defendant claims it has been adopted by this court. However, he does not argue *1333 the point at any length and it is neither necessary nor do we propose to now unduly belabor the matter.
For the moment it should be sufficient to simply note that in State v. Fischer,
See also State v. Whitbeck,
III. Over an extended period of time we have, perhaps rather loosely, employed the terms inference, presumption and evidence interchangeably.
In State v. Ostrander,
State v. Zeibart,
“* * * the use of a deadly weapon is evidence of malice aforethought: * *
Then in State v. Townsend,
Later, in the ease of State v. Hockett,
And in State v. Hayden,
Continuing the court then said: “Of course, we do not mean to say that a jury should ever be instructed that the burden is upon a defendant to show want of malice. We use the above expression for want of a better term in which to convey the thought. What we mean is that an unexplained killing with a deadly weapon is evidence of malice, and that the burden is on the accused in that sense that he must make proof of legal excuse, justification, or extenuation, or take the risk of a conviction upon the presumption or inference of malice. * *
Thereafter this court stated on several occasions, use of a deadly weapon with opportunity to deliberate is evidence of malice and intent to kill. See State v. Kelley,
However, Stenberg v. Buckley,
“What are commonly known as ‘presumptions of fact’ are really not presumptions at all, but inferences. ‘* * * a “presumption of fact”, in the loose sense, is merely an improper term for the rational potency, or probative value, of the evidentiary *1335 fact * * IX Wigmore on Evidence, Third Ed., 288, section 2491. Greenleaf on Evidence, 144, section 44, says: ‘They are, in truth, but mere arguments, * * *’ and * * depend upon their own natural force and efficacy in generating belief or conviction in the mind * * *.’
“These inferences do not affect the duty of either party to produce evidence, except as each party is desirous of showing whatever he can to aid his ease. Whether an inference of fact, a ‘presumption of fact in the loose sense’ as Dean Wigmore describes it, aids a litigant, depends upon whether the common knowledge and experience of men, as applied to facts shown, lead to the belief that ordinarily and usually further facts or consequences follow. Such an inference is a reasoning process, an inferring from other facts which appear in evidence. The presumption of innocence which clothes a defendant in a criminal ease is one raised by the law, and is a real presumption; but when it is said, for instance, that when a certain state of things or affairs is shown to have existed at a given time, its continuance is presumed, what is really meant is that the showing of the existence at a specified time is admissible as evidence of the continued existence. It is of course a rebuttable inference. Whether any inference is to be drawn from a given set of facts depends upon whether the state of affairs to be inferred usually and generally follows from the facts shown.” See also State v. Hartwick,228 Iowa 245 , 251,290 N.W. 523 , and 2 South Dakota Law Review 76.
While a presumption of fact or inference is not generally considered as evidence, it does east upon the party against whom invoked the burden of going forward with the evidence. Beggs v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co.,
On the other hand, there is some authority supporting the view that when an inference has been created it, in effect, is evidence in the sense that it may suffice to carry a case to the jury. Jones Commentaries on Evidence, Second Ed., section 30, and Jones on Evidence, Fifth Ed., section 117. '
Be that as it may, instruction 9, which defendant challenges, did not say malice is proved by use of a deadly weapon which causes death of a person.
*1336 Neither did it nor other instruction serve to place any burden of proof upon defendant.
IV. In addition to this, we have repeatedly stated instructions must be considered as a whole and all applicable law is not to be found in any one. State v. Ebelsheiser,
Looking then to instruction 5, we find the trial court gave to the jury these clear and understandable definitions:
“ ‘Malice’ is that condition of the mind which prompts one to do a wrongful act intentionally, without just cause or excuse, and in wanton disregard for the rights and safety of others. Malice may be either express or implied. It may not be implied where there is adequate provocation.
“ ‘Express malice’ is that which is established by proof of spite, hatred, or ill will, or by proof of a deliberate or a fixed intent to do injury.
“ ‘Implied malice’ is that which may be inferred from the acts and conduct of the accused, and the means employed by him in doing the wrongful and injurious act without just cause or excuse. Malice is not mere spite or hatred or ill will, and malice may not be implied where there is adequate provocation. * * (Emphasis supplied.)
See in this connection State v. Leedom,
By instruction 7 the court properly instructed as to the meaning of malice aforethought.
Following this, instruction 11 stated as follows:
“The intent with which an act is done, being a mental state or condition of the mind, is seldom, if ever, capable of direct and positive proof; but is to be arrived at by such just and reasonable deductions or inferences from the acts and facts proved as the guarded judgment of a candid and cautious person would ordinarily draw therefrom.
“In determining the intent of any person, you have a right to infer that he intended to do that which he voluntarily did, and that he intended the probable and natural consequences to *1337 follow his acts, voluntarily done, which ordinarily follow such acts.”
Murder in the second degree was defined by instruction 12 with the admonition that before there could be a conviction on this included offense, the State must have proved beyond a reasonable doubt four essential elements, to-wit: The shooting of Hinton by Jiles; death of Hinton as a result of being so shot; the shooting was done with malice aforethought; and the killing was not done by Jiles in self-defense, or by accident.
Then by instructions 15 and 16 the jury was properly advised as to self-defense and accident.
When these instructions are harmonized and appropriately considered together, we see no reversible error.
In substance and effect the court here told the jury: Malice may be inferred from the acts and conduct of a person; intent is a state of mind to be determined by reasonable deductions and inferences; the jury may infer a person intends the natural consequences of an act voluntarily done; and use of a deadly weapon with opportunity to deliberate is evidence of malice, deliberation, premeditation and intent to kill, unless the defendant acted in self-defense or the shooting resulted from an accident. See in this connection State v. Crutcher,
This does not mean instruction 9 is looked upon with favor or should be used as a pattern. Rather we are simply persuaded it was not prejudicially erroneous under existing circumstances.
Y. The foregoing conclusion finds additional support when the challenged instruction is viewed in another light.
In State v. Estrella,
And in State v. Davis,
We have also held, technical errors which are not unavoidably interwoven with the result reached are not to be deemed prejudicial. State v. Rutledge,
It is self-evident instruction 9 related only to murder in the first degree, and defendant Avas convicted of murder in the second degree, being a lesser and included offense.
It follows that error, if any, in that portion of the subject instruction pertaining only to an offense of a higher degree than that upon which a guilty verdict was returned, will not alone give to defendant the aid and relief he now .seeks.
VI. Defendant also complains because the trial court did not instruct the jury as to the meaning of “inference” or “presumption.”
Admittedly words, terms or phrases may be employed in the instructions given to a jury which are so uncommon and unfamiliar to the average person as. to require some explanation, clarification or definition.
The court, in the case now before us, might well have defined the terms “inference” and “presumption”, but in the light of all the instructions given we see no reversible error in failing to do so. These words may, in the mind of the scholar, involve some fine legalistic distinctions, but to the average person their meaning is neither so veiled nor uncertain as to require a definition. State v. Stout,
VII. Finally complaint is asserted because of failure on the part of the trial court to instruct on defendant’s right to arm himself.
The general rule regarding right to arm is as folloAvs:
*1339
“Where the court restricts the issue of self-defense by submitting the issue of provoking the difficulty, * * *, it should also instruct the jury as to accused’s right to arm himself in anticipation of danger, and, where such an instruction is warranted by the evidence, a refusal to give it constitutes error. Such an instruction, however, is neither necessary nor proper where such an issue is not raised by the evidence in the ease, as where the evidence shows that, although accused was carrying a weapon at the time, he was doing so merely as was his usual custom, and not in anticipation of danger from deceased;
nor is such an instruction required where the court instructs as to self-defense without any limitation as to provoking the
difficulty.” (Emphasis supplied.) 41 C. J. S., Homicide, section 378c(4), pages 177, 178. See also State v. Ebelsheiser,
It is self-evident the court did not restrict the element of self-defense by submission of any inapplicable issue relative to provoking the difficulty.
A right to arm instruction was neither required nor appropriate under the factual circumstances presented in the case at bar,
VIII. Finding no reversible error the conviction and judgment must be affirmed. — Affirmed.