Blackwell v. State

• Citation: 231 So.2d 790
• Decision Date: 02 February 1970
• Docket Number: No. 45563,45563
• Parties: Jim BLACKWELL v. STATE of Mississippi.
• Court: United States State Supreme Court of Mississippi

Page 790

231 So.2d 790

Jim BLACKWELL v. STATE of Mississippi.

No. 45563.

Supreme Court of Mississippi.

Feb. 2, 1970.

Rehearing Denied March 9, 1970.

John Sekul, Clare Hornsby, Biloxi, for appellant.

A. F. Summer, Atty. Gen., by Guy N. Rogers, Asst. Atty. Gen. and Wade H. Creekmore, Jr., and James H. Creekmore, Special Asst. Attys., Gen., Jackson, for appellee.

JONES, Justice.

In the summer of 1968, there were in Harrison County, on the beach, along old Highway 49 (apparently abandoned by the Highway Department when a new road was built) on the northern edge of Gulfport and at other points, certain places which existed on proceeds from law violations, particularly those prohibiting gambling and prostitution. They operated to a large extent through what is commonly called night clubs.

Able and courageous officers, with their aides, exerted much effort to eliminate this growing blight on the Mississippi Coast, a rendezvous for many, who there seek recreation and rest from the strenuous duties of everyday living.

As affecting this particular case, the officers had caused several to be closed, preventing them from employing and using B-girls, and from having prostitutes pursue their occupation in or from these places.

One Charles Conway owned or operated a place known as the 'Beverly Lounge.' Before the injunction, we are told, Conway had not engaged in the business of prostitution, but after the other places were closed, he was adding to and reshaping Beverly Lounge. He learned, however he was not going to be permitted to reopen for the purpose for which he was remodeling so as to include bedrooms. In the meantime, the place known as the 'Tango Club,' on old Highway 49, had opened, or reopened, with four girls and one bartender to serve a counter about six or maybe eight feet long and one small table. There were bedrooms in the back of the building.

Conway and his friend, Jim Blackwell, did not think anyone should operate such a place, unless Conway could. They, therefore, decided to go talk to Ocie Anderson who was running the Tango Club. This decision was made in the 'Gay Paree' on the beach. They then returned to Conway's place, and to underscore and emphasize what they might say, secured their pistols, and also carried with them the man who was making the additions to or alterations on the Beverly Lounge.

A short while after they arrived at the Tango, Anderson returned and subsequently there occurred a 'shoot-out.' Ocie Anderson was wounded.

The grand jury indicted appellant, Jim Blackwell, and Charles Conway jointly on a charge of intentionally pointing and aiming a pistol at Ocie Anderson, discharging same and wounding the said Anderson.

A severance was granted.

Appellant was tried and convicted. He appeals here, and we affirm.

Evidence as to prostitution in and around these places was admitted, and complaint is made that this was error, inasmuch as it was permitting the jury to consider other crimes. This proof was offered and admitted as evidence of motive; and other evidence and questions about which complaint is made were admitted as corroborative of that showing prostitution. The evidence as to prostitution was also admissible because the business of prostitution was shown to be connected with the crime charged. Bangren v. State, 198 Miss. 359, 22 So.2d 360 (1945); Floyd v. State, 166 Miss. 15, 148 So. 226 (1933).

Complaint is also made that the district attorney insinuated that the four girl witnesses for the State were prostitutes, but the court stated that they would not have to answer that question.

It is also alleged that the attorney was permitted to ask leading questions. The witnesses called by the State included the four women who worked at the Tango Club. Naturally they were reluctant witnesses as to matters affecting themselves, their employers, and others connected with operation generally. The court permitted considerable latitude in their examination. In view of the circumstances, we cannot see any abuse of discretion by the court. Thomas v. State, 217 So.2d 287 (Miss.1968); Summerville v. State, 207 Miss. 54, 51 So.2d 377 (1949); Cutshall v. State, 203 Miss. 553, 35 So.2d 318 (1948).

There was ample evidence to submit the case to the jury and to sustain their verdict. In addition to motive, it was shown that the appellant and Conway were the aggressors. They returned from the Gay Paree to Conway's place of business on the way to the Tango Club for the specific purpose of arming themselves and Blackwell secured either a .32 or .38 calibre pistol according to Kraker who accompanied them, and Conway had a .357 Magnum. After the shooting, the deputy sheriff found eight empty shells around the bar where Ocie Anderson was shot. There were two .38 special shells behind the bar, and three .38 specials and three .357 Magnum shells between where Ocie Anderson was, when shot, and where Conway and Blackwell were when the shooting occurred. One witness testified that she saw Conway and the appellant with pistols drawn on Ocie Anderson; and him backed up against the wall at the bar. She also testified that she saw Conway with a pistol drawn on George Anderson threatening to kill him. It was shown that Ocie Anderson never fired his gun.

There was testimony that George Anderson fired the last three shots as Blackwell and Conway went out the door. An officer testified that when he got George Anderson's gun later, it had six unfired shells in it, but that he did not smell the gun to see if it had been fired.

It was also testified that when...