State v. Penney

113 Iowa 691 | Iowa | 1900

Waterman, J.

1 2 Tbe greater portion of the argument made on behalf of defendant is devoted to an attempt to show that the evidence does not support the verdict. The facts, as the jury were warranted in finding them, may be summed up as follows: All the parties concerned were colored men, who were engaged in grading for a railway that was being built through Emmet county. They came from southern states, and had been at work but a few weeks when the homicide occurred. While at work they lived in a camp established by the contractor, one Campbell, in whose employ they were, and which was some three miles distant from Estherville. The person killed was one Walter Dockland, and his death was caused by a bullet from a revolver in the hands of one Cario. The killing was done on the 3d day of October, 1889. In the morning of that day defendant had a difficulty with Dockland, and was kicked by him.. On account of some trouble with another fellow employe, defendant had been ordered out of the camp by Campbell. During the greater part of October 3d defendant was in the town of Estherville. In the afternoon of that day he met Cario, who had also quit work, and who, the record discloses, had a personal animosity against Dockland. Defendant and Cario, each armed with a loaded revolver, started late in the afternoon for Campbell’s camp, ostensibly to dispose of a stove which Cario had there, and to get some other articles of property owned by him. Digressing now for a moment, we will say that, in the morning of the day on which Dockland was killed, a witness (Frazier) saw defendant and one Carter together, and had a conversation with the latter in defendant’s presence. He was asked what Carter said in reference to Walter Dockland, and having Penney do anything to him. His ansAver Avas: “lie just said he Avas going to toAvn and make — and get a gun and run him out of the camp for kicking him.” There is other evidence of Carter’s saying in defendant’s presence that he would haA7e tlie latter run Lockland out of the country. IVhen Cario and defendant reached the camp, the latter exhibited his revolver and said, “I will get that bully son of a bitch.” After spending a little time in the camp,- Cario and defendant started for the place Avhere the men were at work. They .met Lock-land and some other men returning from work. At this meeting place, Avhich we need not describe, the shooting was done. When first seen, Cario and defendant held their revolvers in their hands. So far as is shown, Lockland had not observed them. Their appearance and manner, hoAvever, indicated danger to Lockland; for one of his companions, Brazier, at once called out to him, “Look out, Walter.” Immediately following this, Cario Avas heard to say to Lock-land, “God damn you! get off that mule,” and almost instantly fired at him. Lockland, who was also armed with a pistol, returned the fire; and defendant, who had gone behind the mule on AA'hich Lockland was seated, in order to get upon the other side, also shot at Lockland. Cario shot at least once more, and Lockland fell to the ground, dead. It appears that the shot fired by defendant did not hit Lockland, who was struck by two balls which came from the side Avhere Cario Avas shooting. After Lockland fell, Cario and defendant went up to him. The former struck him in the face with the pistol he held, and the latter took the dead man’s revolver from his grasp. After his arrest, defendant admitted that he shot once at Lockland, and said he supposed he was as “deep into it” as Cario. These are the facts as the jury Avere authorized to find them. It is claimed there is no evidence of a conspiracy between defendant and Cario to take Lockland’s life. But Ave think the circumstances might well justify such a conclusion. Moreover, if there Avas no previous conspiracy, and if, as claimed by defendant, the meeting with Dockland was unexpected, yet, if defendant aided Cario in making a murderous assault on Dockland, he is equally guilty with his associate, although his hand did not inflict the death wound.

3 4 II. Defendant made an application for a continuance on the ground that Cario-, who had fled, was an important witness in his behalf, and setting forth the facts which he expected to prove by him. It was also alleged that witnesses O. A. and O. D. Morris, Washington, Prazier, Lawson, and Collins, who had testified for the state before the grand jury, were persons whose reputations for truth and veracity were bad in the community where they resided, and, if time should be granted, defendant would be <able to get evidence to impeach them. Where these witnesses lived, or who the impeaching witnesses would be, are facts not stated. It was also alleged in the motion that defendant would be able to procure the testimony of certain named witnesses, who resided in the state of Arkansas, to his good character. The motion was overruled on all grounds except as to the witness Cario, and because of his absence it was sustained in so far as related to his testimony. The state admitted that Cario, if present, would testify as stated, and the case was called for trial in its order. Defendant excepted to the overruling of the motion on the other grounds. As to the impeaching- testimony, the motion was too general and indefinite to comply with the statute (Code, section 3664). So far as appears, the motion states a mere surmise of defendant. In relation to the evidence of good character, the motion again fails to conform to the statute; for it is not shown that there were no witnesses immediately accessible by whom the fact could be proved. On the whole, we do not think reversible error can be predicated on this ruling of the trial court.

5 III. Error is charged because of the fact that the confession of the defendant was received in evidence while he was under arrest, it being insisted that it was not voluntary. The most that arrears in this connection is that after defendant was placed under arrest the officer questioned him, and that his responses constituted the matter given in evidence. This is not sufficient to exclude the confession. Slate v. Novak, 109 Iowa, III. Moreover, he made the same statements to a third party in the officer’s presence, and without solicitation.

6 IY. Strenuous objection is made to the admission of Carter’s remark in defendant’s presence in relation to running Lockland out of the country, or out of camp. It is admitted by defendant that, if Carter had said in defendant’s presence that the latter was going to ran Lockland out of the country, it would have been admissible, because it would have been such a statement as the latter would have been called upon to deny if it were not true. When the testimony of the different witnesses for the state on this point is taken together, that seems to be the tenor of what Carter said. And, if we consider in connection with it the threat made by defendant, it becomes apparent that Carter was speaking for defendant when the statement complained of was made. If no violence was intended by Penney against Lockland, it appears to us that, under the circumstances, he should have disavowed the acts which Carter promised on his behalf. Com. v. Call, 21 Pick. 522; Greenleaf, Evidence, section 194. We may say, furthermore, that Carter was jointly indicted with defendant for this crime; it being the theory of the state that he was a member of the conspiracy, the object or purpose of which was the killing of Lockland. Cario was never indicted, not having been apprehended.

7 Y. Another point upon which counsel for appellant rely quite strongly is that the court failed to submit to the jury any offense below that of manslaughter; it being urged that under the evidence defendant might have been found guilty of assault with intent to commit murder, or assault with intent to inflict a great bodily injury. It is unquestionably true that it was the duty of the court to submit every offense included in that charged, of which there was any evidence. But there must be some evidence -in order to necessitate this action, as distinguished from a purely imaginary state of affairs. There is no question but that Dockland died from the effect of wounds inflicted in a.felonious assault committed by Cario. . If defendant aided and abetted Cario by taking part in such assault, he is guilty of murder; or if his aid was given, without malice in the heat of passion or in a sudden affray, his offense would be manslaughter. It could be nothing less; for, if he took no part, he would be without guilt. See State v. Froelick, 70 Iowa, 213; State v. Munchrath, 78 Iowa, 268; State v. Perigo, 80 Iowa, 37; State v. Row, 81 Iowa, 138; State v. Cater, 100 Iowa, 501.

8 VI. Defendant asked an instruction, which was refused, to the effect that, so long as any one juror had a reasonable doubt of guilt, there could be no conviction. While each juror is doubtless to act upon his own judgment, such an instruction as asked need not be given. This court has heretofore suslained trial courts in refusing it. State v. Hamilton, 57 Iowa, 596; State v. Fry, 67 Iowa, 475. The usual instructions as to reasonable doubt were given in this case, and we think they were sufficient.

VII. It is claimed that paragraph 24 of the charge given the jury took from their consideration the matter of self-defense. It may well be questioned whether, under the evidence, had this been the case, it would have afforded ground for reversal. But we do not so construe the instruction, nor do we think it open to any such construction.

9 VIII. Another claim is that the court should have defined the word “felonious,” used in the charge. We do not think there was call for defining a word in such common use. In re Convey’s Will, 52 Iowa, 197. We have-gone carefully through this record, and our conclusion is that defendant had a fair trial, and the judgment is fully sustained by the testimony. — Aefirmed.