Pugh v. State, 4 Div. 242

Decision Date25 September 1973
Docket Number4 Div. 242
Citation51 Ala.App. 164,283 So.2d 616
PartiesRandy PUGH v. STATE.
CourtAlabama Court of Criminal Appeals

Joseph E. Faulk, Troy, for appellant.

William J. Baxley, Atty. Gen., Don C. Dickert, Asst. Atty. Gen., and Rosa Hamlett, Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.

HARRIS, Judge.

Appellant was convicted in the Circuit Court of Pike County of a violation of subsection (a) of Section 174, Title 14, Code of Alabama 1940, as amended, which reads:

'No person who has been convicted in this state or elsewhere of committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence shall own a pistol or have one in his possession or under his control.'

On December 23, 1972, the police officers of the City of Troy were routinely checking automobiles having new tires mounted thereon as a burglary had occurred in that city the night before and a number of tires were stolen. They saw appellant, who had been convicted of burglary the year before, driving an automobile on 231 By-Pass in the city limits of Troy. He was stopped and while one officer was checking him out the other officer walked to appellant's car and observed a pistol in a western style holster on the front floorboard of the car on the driver's side. Appellant was placed under arrest for violating the above quoted statute. He was then and there given the Miranda warnings, after which he made two conflicting statements within a matter of minutes. His first statement was that the pistol belonged to his brother or brother-in-law and that he was taking it home to keep for him until after Christmas. He then said he had no knowledge that a pistol was in his car.

The state offered in evidence certified copies of judgments of conviction for burglary in 1965 and burglary in 1972. The judgment entries for both convictions show that appellant was represented by court-appointed lawyers. He was also represented by a court-appointed lawyer in the instant case, who represents him on appeal. Appellant sought and obtained a free transcript to perfect this appeal.

In the trial below, appellant's brother testified that the pistol belonged to him; that he was going on a trip to Dothan and did not want to take the pistol with him, so he took it out of his car and pitched it on the backseat or the floor of the backseat without appellant's knowledge and forgot about it; that his brother was not around when he put the pistol in his car.

Appellant testified that he did not know the pistol was in his car until...

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26 cases
  • Colston v. State
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • 4 Noviembre 1975
    ...the defendant guilty, we have no right to disturb such verdict. Price v. State, 53 Ala.App. 465, 301 So.2d 230 (1974); Pugh v. State, 51 Ala.App. 164, 283 So.2d 616 (1973); Bass v. State, 55 Ala.App. 86, 313 So.2d 208 We here find that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to suppor......
  • Woods v. State
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • 17 Noviembre 1976
    ...a question for the jury as to the guilt of the defendant, and a verdict rendered thereon will not be disturbed on appeal. Pugh v. State, 51 Ala.App. 164, 283 So.2d 616; Waters v. State,55 Ala.App. 646, 318 So.2d Conflict in the testimony between defendant's alibi and the testimony adduced b......
  • Gunn v. State, 6
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • 27 Mayo 1980
    ...question, and a verdict rendered thereon will not be disturbed on appeal if the State made out a prima facie case. Pugh v. State, 51 Ala.App. 164, 283 So.2d 616 (1973). The truthfulness of testimony is for the jury to determine. May v. State, Ala.Cr.App., 335 So.2d 242 (1976). The instant v......
  • Malone v. State, 6 Div. 123
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • 20 Junio 1978
    ...508 (April 18, 1978). The law is clear that where a conflict in evidence exists, a question for the jury is presented. Pugh v. State, 51 Ala.App. 164, 283 So.2d 616. It is not the policy of this court to pass upon the truthfulness or the falsity of such conflicting evidence. Williamson v. S......
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