Alford v. Com.

• Decision Date: 12 January 1923
• Citation: 246 S.W. 441,197 Ky. 225
• Parties: ALFORD v. COMMONWEALTH.
• Court: Kentucky Court of Appeals

246 S.W. 441

197 Ky. 225

ALFORD v. COMMONWEALTH.

Court of Appeals of Kentucky.

January 12, 1923

Appeal from Circuit Court, Clark County.

George Alford was convicted of unlawful transportation of spirituous liquors, and appeals. Reversed.

Rodney Haggard, of Winchester, for appellant.

Chas. I. Dawson, Atty. Gen., and T. B. McGregor, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the Commonwealth.

TURNER, C.

Appellant was indicted charged with the unlawful transportation of spirituous liquors, and on his trial was convicted. He was denied a new trial and has appealed.

Two reasons for reversal are urged: First, that the court erred in refusing the peremptory instruction asked for which was based upon the contention that the verdict rests wholly upon the evidence of one Martin, who, it is claimed by appellant's counsel, was an accomplice, and whose evidence it is claimed is wholly uncorroborated, as is required by section 241 of the Criminal Code; and, second, that as the prosecution was under the prohibition enforcement act of 1920 (Laws 1920, c. 81), the court erred in admitting evidence for the commonwealth over his objection as to appellant's reputation for the violation of the liquor laws.

The first alleged error relied upon is not embraced in, or pointed out by, the motion and grounds for a new trial, and cannot, therefore, be considered.

As to the second contention, it has several times recently been held by this court that evidence of defendant's bad character for violation of the liquor laws was incompetent in a prosecution under the act of 1920. Handshoe v. Commonwealth, 195 Ky. 762, 243 S.W. 1024; Davidson v. Commonwealth, 196 Ky. 307, 244 S.W. 688; Mullins v. Commonwealth, 196 Ky. 613, 245 S.W. 278.

Because of the last-indicated error, the judgment is reversed, with directions to grant appellant a new trial and for further proceedings consistent herewith.