State v. Hansen, 7352

• Decision Date: 20 May 1947
• Docket Number: 7352
• Citation: 67 Idaho 359,181 P.2d 192
• Parties: STATE v. HANSEN
• Court: Idaho Supreme Court

181 P.2d 192

67 Idaho 359

STATE v. HANSEN

No. 7352

Supreme Court of Idaho

May 20, 1947

Appeal from District Court, Sixth Judicial District, Bingham County D. H. Sutphen, Presiding Judge.

Judgment affirmed.

John R Black, of Pocatello, for appellant.

The evidence is insufficient to support the judgment of conviction entered in this cause against the appellant and in favor of the State of Idaho, Session Laws 1939, Chapter 222, Section 902; State v. Sullivan, 34 Idaho 68, 199 P. 647, 17 A.L.R. 902; State v. Vanek, 59 Idaho 514, 84 P.2d 567; State v. Haynes, 64 Idaho 627, 135 P.2d 300; State v. Wilson, 62 Idaho 282, 111 P.2d 868; State v. Henry, 66 Idaho 60, 154 P.2d 184; State v. Robinson, 158 Kan. 287, 147 P.2d 374; People v. Rende, Co.Ct., 33 N.Y.S.2d 791.

In the absence of proof that the substance allegedly sold was alcoholic liquor, there can be no conviction of the appellant. Session Laws 1939, Chapter 222, Sections 106 and 902.

Robert Ailshie, Atty. Gen., and J. R. Smead, Asst. Atty. Gen., for respondent.

One who knows the taste and smell of whiskey is qualified to testify that what he bought and drank was whiskey. No other evidence is required to sustain a conviction. Lewinsohn v. U.S. 7 Cir., 278 F. 421, and authorities cited; certiorari denied, 258 U.S. 630, 42 S.Ct. 463, 62 L.Ed. 800.

Also, if one orders whiskey, a beverage is poured, delivered and paid for, it is presumed to have been whiskey. Idem., and authorities cited, p. 426; State v. McLaughlin, 42 Idaho 219, 245 P. 77.

See also: Atles v. U.S. 3 Cir., 50 F.2d 808, 78 A.L.R. 435, and note, 439, citing copious authority; State v. Eggleston, 201 Iowa 1, 206 N.W. 281; State v. Buck, 88 Kan. 114, 127 P. 631, 42 L.R.A.,N.S., 854, Ann.Cas.1914B, 730 (poison-odors compared).

Ailshie, Justice. Holden, J., concurs in the conclusion reached. Givens, Justice, concurring specially. Porter, D. J., concurs in the special concurrence by Givens, J.

OPINION

Ailshie, Justice.

Appellant, charged with the crime of unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor, second offense, was tried before the court and a jury. Verdict of guilty was returned and appellant was convicted and sentenced to be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for six months and pay a fine of $ 500; and if he "shall fail, neglect, or refuse to pay the fine heretofore imposed as hereinabove recited, that he be retained and imprisoned in the Bingham County jail for a period of time equivalent to one day for each two dollars representing the aggregate amount recited herein as fine imposed against the said defendant." From the judgment he has appealed.

N. C. Spellman, resident of Coeur d'Alene, and L. Harold Drayney, of Burley, went to Blackfoot September 11, 1946, as investigators for the state liquor law enforcement. Spellman had been engaged in law enforcement work for approximately eight years; Drayney had been employed "with law enforcement off and on for about seven years." Spellman's testimony, with reference to the investigation, was as follows:

"We stopped at the Eccles Hotel [in Blackfoot] and attempted to get a room * * * Then we came down on Main Street. * * * we walked into Henry's Cigar Store and bought a drink of liquor apiece in there.

"Q. After you left Henry's Cigar Store, where did you go? A. We went to the Empire Bar.

"Q. At approximately what time did you go into the Empire Bar? A. In the neighborhood of 6:30 I think.

"Q. What did you do after you arrived there? A. We bought a drink of whiskey apiece.

"Q. And will you tell the jury who ordered the drink? A. Well, we ordered our choice. Each ordered straight whiskey.

"Q. And how many bar tenders were there on duty at that time that you observed? A. Just one that I noticed.

"Q. And is that gentleman present in the court room at the present time? A. Yes.

"Q. Is that the gentleman sitting with Mr. Black? A. Mr. Hansen, yes.

"Q. How was the liquor served to you? A. In a small glass, an ounce or so.

"Q. And it was straight whiskey I understand you ordered? A. Yes.

"Q. What did you receive? A. Straight whiskey.

* * * *

"Q. And are you familiar with the taste, odor or smell of whiskey? A. I am.

"Q. How much was paid for the drinks of whiskey that were served to you? A. Fifty cents each.

"Q. This establishment at which you purchased this liquor is known as the Empire Bar, you say? A. Yes, that is the way it is advertised.

"Q. And in what county is that located, do you know? A. This county, Bingham County.

* * * *

"Q. To whom was the money paid for the whiskey? A. To the bar tender.

"Q. That is the defendant in this case? A. Yes.

"Q. Did you know him by name at that time? A. Not at that time, no.

"Q. And did you subsequently ascertain who he was and what his name was? A. Yes.

"Q. Who identified him for you? A. By the description we gave, yourself and Mr. Belnap.

"Q. Sheriff Belnap? A. Yes.

* * * *

"Q. Did you see Mr. Belnap at any time up until the time you went to the Empire Bar? A. No, we didn't.

"Q. Did you see the sheriff at any time later that evening? A. Not that I remember, no.

* * * *

"Q. Had you met Mr. Belnap prior to that time? A. Yes.

"Q. You knew he was the sheriff of Bingham County? A. Yes, I did.

"Q. He didn't go with you when you went around to make these purchases of whiskey. Did you call him or any of his deputies to assist you in this investigation? * * * A. No.

"By Mr. Black:

"Q. Now, Mr. Spellman, you say that you and Mr. Drayney went into the Empire Bar about 6:30. Is that about right? A. That is about right, yes.

"Q. When you went in there, you didn't buy a drink there did you, on that occasion? A. I bought two drinks in there -- one apiece.

"Q. But did you buy the drinks or did Mr. Drayney buy the drinks? A. Mr. Drayney paid for it.

"Q. You didn't buy a drink in there at that time did you? A. I didn't take any money out of my pocket and pay for it.

"Q. That is what I mean. You didn't buy a drink? A. No.

"Q. Now, after this drink -- let me ask you this: You say that you can tell whiskey when you taste it, is that right? A. That is right.

"Q. And you are sure of that? A. Pretty sure, yes.

"Q. You have had lots of experience tasting it? A. I have tasted quite a little, yes.

" Q. So you feel like you know whiskey when you taste it? A. That is right.

"Q. Do you know what brand of whiskey it was that you had on this occasion? A. No.

"Q. Did you see any bottle when you went in there? A. Yes.

"Q. You say you saw a bottle? A. Yes.

"Q. What kind of a bottle? A. A fifth of a gallon.

"Q. Did you see this drink come out of the bottle? A. No, I didn't.

"Q. You didn't see it come out of the bottle. All you know is that they set a glass in front of you with some fluid in it which you say is whiskey? A. Yes.

"Q. And you drank that? A. That is right.

"Q. But you don't know what brand it was or what kind it was? A. No.

"Q. Did you bring any part or portion of that whiskey away from that place with you in any container so you could have it tested? A. No.

"Q. You didn't bring any part of that so you can now tell the jury that you had that tested to show that it was whiskey? A. No.

"Q. Did you bring the glass that you drank the whiskey out of? Did you take that with you? A. No, I didn't.

"Q. Did you confiscate the bottle you saw standing there or whatever it was? A. No, I didn't.

"Q. So that all you know about this whiskey is that you and Mr. Drayner went in there, and two glasses were set on the bar with this fluid in them. You each drank that down and Mr. Drayney paid a dollar for them? A. That is right."

Mr. Drayney's account of the investigation was similar to that of Spellman's; he said:

"Q. And exactly what did you say in ordering the drink? A. I just ordered a straight drink of whiskey.

"Q. What did Mr. Spellman order? A. I don't recall. He ordered a drink.

"Q. How many men were on duty back of the bar? A. One is all I recall seeing.

"Q. Is that man present in the court room? A. Yes.

"Q. Was it the defendant Mr. Glenn Hansen sitting with his counsel? A. I think so, yes.

"Q. Is there any doubt in your mind? A. No. * * *

"Q. Are you familiar with the taste and odor of whiskey? A. Yes.

"Q. What was served to you in the Empire Bar on the 11th day of September? A. A drink of whiskey.

"Q. How much was paid for the whiskey? A. $ 1.00 for two drinks.

"Q. One for Mr. Spellman and one for yourself? A. Yes, sir.

"Q. Did you see anyone else there that you knew? A. No, sir.

"Q. From where did you obtain the money that was used to pay for these drinks at the Empire Cigar Store? A. I received my advance check at Arco from our director of the Department * * * We ordered our drinks. My drink was set up straight in a small whiskey glass, also a glass of water for a chaser. I didn't see the bottle it was served out of * * *

"Q. You think you are able to tell whiskey when you taste it? A. Yes, sir.

"Q. Have you had a lot of experience tasting whiskey? A. I wouldn't say a lot, but I drink whiskey.

"Q. And you know the taste and the smell of it? A. Yes, sir."

On the other hand, appellant Hansen testified substantially as follows: That he had lived about six years in Blackfoot and prior to that he had been county constable at Dubois.

"Q. Now, Mr. Hansen, calling your attention to September 11 1946, where were you on that day about 6:30 in the evening? A. Well, I don't know for sure. I worked there about that time, but I could have been out. I don't know.

"Q. Were you on shift during that period of time around 6:30? A. That's correct.

"Q. And where? A. At the Empire Cigar Store.

" Q. Is that here in Blackfoot? A. That is right.

"Q. Now, I will ask you, Mr. Hansen, if at about 6:30 you observed there Mr. Drayney or Mr. Spellman in the cigar...