State v. . Morgan
35 S.E.2d 621
N.C.
1945
Check Treatment
Schenck, J.

The State’s evidence was sufficient to carry the ease to the jury upon the charge contained in the bill of indictment but the jury returned a verdict of guilty of a less degree of the offense charged, namely, an assault upon a female the defendant being a male person over 18 years of age. Such verdict was authorized by G. S., 15-170.

The brief of the defendant does not comply with Rule 28, Rules of Practice in the Supreme Court, 221 N. C., 562-3, in that such brief does not contain properly numbered the assignments of error with reference to printed pages of transcript. However, we have endeavored to consider the assignments of error which it appears the defendant intended to make. The first of such assignments seems to be the failure of the court to continue the case on account of the absence of the solicitor. It appears that the minutes of the first day of court as first written recited the solicitor was present prosecuting for the State, but on the second day of the court the judge presiding discovered the error and in his own proper handwriting altered the minutes so as to read that in the absence of the solicitor the court appointed Messrs. Nunn and Lansche of the local bar to prosecute for the State. The power to correct the minutes and records to make them speak the truth was within the discretion of the judge holding the court; S. v. Swepson, 84 N. C., 827; S. v. Warren, 95 N. C., 674, and in addition the record does not disclose that any exception to the action of the judge in making such correction was noted. His Honor likewise had authority in the absence of the solicitor to appoint members of the local bar to act for the solicitor in the prosecution of the case. S. v. Cameron, 121 N. C., 572, 28 S. E., 139; S. v. Conly, 130 N. C., 683, 41 S. E., 534; S. v. Wood, 175 N. C., 809 (819), 95 S. E., 1050. If the defendant suffered the loss of any rights on account of the absence of the solicitor they were waived by his failure to assert them in due time. The only objection made by the defendant was made after a verdict adverse to him was returned. This constituted a clear waiver. S. v. Hartsfield, 188 N. C., 357, 124 S. E., 629; In re West, 212 N. C., 189, 193 S. E., 134. And, too, the record does not disclose that any motion was ever made to continue the case on account of the absence of the solicitor. This Court can judicially know only that which appears in the record. S. v. DeJournette, 214 N. C., 575, 199 S. E.. 920.

*551 Tbe defendant likewise appears to assign as error tbe failure of tbe court to give a certain special instruction wbicb tbe record states was requested while tbe solicitor was arguing tbe case and after counsel for defendant bad completed bis argument. This request for special instruction was made too late to form a basis for a successful exceptive assignment of error, and can avail tbe defendant nothing. “Tbe true rule, as garnered from tbe decided cases, seems to be that requests for special instructions must be in before tbe beginning of tbe argument.” Note of annotator under G. S., 1-181. Such special instruction read: “Now, gentlemen of tbe jury, if you should find that -there was no intent to commit rape, and no deadly weapon used and no serious bodily barm done, you may return a verdict of a simple assault,” and tbe exception to tbe failure to give such instruction was therefore untenable for tbe further reason that all tbe evidence, both of tbe State and tbe defendant, was to tbe effect that tbe person assaulted was a female and tbe defendant was a male'person. Tbe burden of showing that tbe defendant was under 18 years of age is a defense and rested on tbe defendant. S. v. Smith, 157 N. C., 578, 72 S. E., 853. There was no evidence to this effect, and for this additional reason tbe court was not required to give same.

In tbe record we find

No error.