State v. Mounce

• Citation: 17 S.W. 226,106 Mo. 226
• Parties: The State v. Mounce, Appellant
• Decision Date: 12 October 1891
• Court: United States State Supreme Court of Missouri

17 S.W. 226

106 Mo. 226

The State v. Mounce, Appellant

Supreme Court of Missouri, Second Division

October 12, 1891

Appeal from Dent Circuit Court. -- Hon. C. C. Bland, Judge.

Affirmed.

L. B Woodside for appellant.

(1) The third instruction given on the part of the state is erroneous, as it virtually told the jury that the fact that John Mounce was the defendant, and a witness in his own behalf, did not entitle him to credit. (2) The fourth instruction is also erroneous as it directed the jury that they might disregard testimony, even if they believed it to be true. The evidence in this case does not bring it within the rule laid down by the courts. Bank v. Murdock, 62 Mo. 74; State v. Palmer, 88 Mo. 568. It leaves a question of law to be decided by the jury, i. e., what were the material averments in the indictment. Fugate v Carter, 6 Mo. 267. (3) The instructions refused defendant should have been given, and those given in lieu thereof were not sufficient to put the case fairly before the jury.

John M Wood, Attorney General, for the State.

OPINION

Gantt, P. J.

Defendant was indicted in the circuit court of Dent county, at its October term, 1888, for a felonious assault. The indictment charged that on the thirtieth day of May, 1888, in said county and state, he feloniously, on purpose and wilfully, with a pistol, assaulted one John W. McDonald with the intent to kill him. He was tried at the April term, 1889, and convicted, and his punishment assessed at a fine of $ 100, from which he appealed.

The evidence introduced on the part of the state tended to prove the charge made, whilst that introduced on the part of the defendant tended to show that the act was done in self-defense.

Appellant complains of the action of the court in admitting evidence of a difficulty between the prosecutor and defendant a few days before the assault; and in giving instructions, numbered 3 and 4, on the part of the state, and refusing instructions, numbered 1 and 2, asked for by defendant.

The only objection that was made to the introduction of testimony was to evidence offered by the state of a prior difficulty between the defendant and prosecuting witness; this objection was overruled by the court, and the evidence admitted, to which defendant excepted. The witness stated that they had a difficulty a few days before, and the defendant put his hand in his pocket, like he was going to draw a weapon, but he did not draw any.

The defendant testified in his own behalf, and among other things to the previous difficulty.

The court gave the following instructions for the state, which were objected to at the time, by the defendant, and exceptions properly taken: "3. The court instructs the jury, that the fact that John Mounce is the party on trial should be taken into consideration for the purpose of affecting his credibility as a witness.

"4. The court instructs the jury, that they are the sole judges of the credibility of the witnesses, and of the weight to be given to their testimony; and if they believe that any witness has wilfully testified falsely, as to any material matter in issue, they should disregard such false testimony, and may reject the whole of such witness' statement."

The instructions asked by defendant and refused by the court, numbered 1 and 2, were mere repetitions of those given by the court on reasonable doubt and self-defense, and for that reason were properly refused.

As the indictment charged the defendant with having wilfully and on purpose assaulted ...