State v. Stanley

63 So. 850 | La. | 1913

LAND, J.

Defendant was charged on information with retailing intoxicating liquors without a license, on the 14th day of August, 1913. The information set forth a bill of particulars as follows, to wit:

“First. Sale made in person.
“Second. Sale was made on date alleged above, at corner of Louisiana and Fannin streets, Shreveport, La.
“Third. Sale consisted of one-half pint of Log Cabin Whisky.”

The defendant was tried before the judge below, and was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of $500 and costs, and to serve five months on the public works of the parish, and in default of the payment of fine to serve six months’ additional on said public works. Defendant has appealed, and assigns as error the overruling of his objections to three questions propounded by the district attorney.

[1] A witness for the state was asked the following questions, to wit:

“(1) Q. Did you go to the house on Fannin and' Louisiana streets, before the date of the alleged sale?”

Defendant objected on the ground that what the witness did before the date of the sale was immaterial and irrelevant, and for further reason that the defendant was not charged with conducting a grog or tippling shop. The objections were overruled, and the witness answered, “He had.”

“(2) What was the defendant doing on the previous occasion when you went there?”

Same objection and ruling. The witness answered, “He had charge of the said place.”

(3) Defendant being placed on the stand in his own behalf, was asked the following question by the district attorney, viz.:

“Q. Did you keep and have Log Cabin Whisky during the summer?”

The defendant objected on the ground that the evidence sought to be elicited tended to prove a sale or sales, or possession of whisky, on other dates than the one charged in the information. The objections were overruled, but the bill does not recite the answer, if any, to the question.

The trial judge states his> reasons for overruling defendant’s objections to questions 1 and 2 as follows, viz.:

“Questions 1 and 2 were allowed for the purpose of connecting defendant with the place in question, to show that he was the proprietor; and the state was limited to a time shortly previous to the alleged sale.”

*133The evidence was clearly relevant to connect the defendant with the place where it was charged the intoxicating liquor was sold.

[2] As to question 3, the trial judge says:

“Question 3 was allowed for the purpose of corroborating a state witness that he purchased Log Cabin Whisky from the defendant; the objection going more to the effect than the admissibility of the evidence.”

Neither the evidence, nor the bill, shows what answer, if any, was made by the defendant to the question propounded to him.

In State v. Munlin, 133 La. 63, 62 South. 352, this court said:

“The second bill discloses no prejudice whatever to the defendant, as it does not show that the witnesses answered the question. See State v. Le Blanc, 116 La. 822 [41 South. 105].”

Judgment affirmed.