Benefield v. State

246 So. 2d 479, 46 Ala. App. 592, 1970 Ala. Crim. App. LEXIS 445
CourtCourt of Criminal Appeals of Alabama
DecidedJune 23, 1970
Docket5 Div. 4
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 246 So. 2d 479 (Benefield v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Benefield v. State, 246 So. 2d 479, 46 Ala. App. 592, 1970 Ala. Crim. App. LEXIS 445 (Ala. Ct. App. 1970).

Opinions

CATES, Judge.

This is an appeal from a conviction of embezzlement, Code 1940, T. 14, § 126. Sentence, three years imprisonment.

The indictment reads (omitting caption, signature and words not important here) :

“The Grand Jury * * * charge that * * * Earl Benefield, alias Earl the Pearl Benefield, R. F. Kelly, alias Bobby Kelly, and James Clark, alias Jim Clark, whose true Christian names are otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, as agents or servants of C. B. Also-brook did embezzle or convert to their own use, or the use of another, one 1966 model Chevrolet pick-up truck, which had come into their possession by virtue of their said agency or service, said pick-up truck being of the value of one thousand four hundred dollars and being the property of the said C. B. Alsobrook; against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama.”

The State’s hypothesis was that Mr. Alsobrook contracted on January 2, 1968 to buy a new 1968 truck from Benefield. As part of the agreement, he turned in (on a consignment basis) a used 1966 Chevrolet pickup truck. The new truck bargained for was not forthcoming. The 1966 truck got on the lot of another dealer one day after Alsobrook turned it over to Benefield, i. e. January 3, 1968.

Alsobrook testified:

“A I turned my 1966 Chevrolet over to him in return for him to get me a new truck, and he give me a 1955 half ton Chevrolet to drive until my new one come.

“Q He was to get you a new truck?
“A Yes, sir.
“Q All right, did he deliver as an agent of yours a new truck?
“A No, sir.
“Q State whether or not you had any conversations with him later about why you hadn’t gotten your truck.
“MR. PAUL J. HOOTON: Now we object, if the Court pleases.
“THE COURT: I will let him answer whether he—
“MR. PAUL J. HOOTON: The time and place and who was present.
“A About six or eight times.
“Q Do you know what, if anything, Mr. Benefield did with your truck that he had taken from you?
“A Yes, sir.
“Q What did you find out?
“MR. PAUL J. HOOTON: We object to what he found out.
“Q All right, what do you know he did with it?
“A He traded it to Wesley Benefield.
“MR. PAUL J. HOOTON: I’d like to ask a preliminary question, your Honor.
“THE COURT: Well, you’ll have him on cross-examination.
“Q You say you know that he traded it to Wesley Benefield?
“A Yes, sir.
“Q Have you ever gotten your truck back?
“A No,' sir.
“Q Did you ever receive a new truck?
“A No, sir.
[594]*594“Q What was the value of your truck that you let him have to get you a new one?
“A $1550.00.
“Q You stated that you had some conversations with Mr. Benefield about this ?
“A Yes, sir, several times.
“Q What, if anything, did he say to you about it?
“MR. PAUL J. HOOTON: Now we object to that, if the Court pleases.
“THE COURT: Overruled, what the defendant said.
“MR. PAUL J. HOOTON: I’d like to know the time and place.
“THE COURT: Well, fix the time and place, Mr. Solicitor.
“Q All right, do you remember any individual times and places that you talked with him?
“A Well, one time I remember was on the 10th of February. I know that.
“Q Where was that ?
“A At his place of business.
“Q And tell the Court and jury what, if anything, was said to you by Mr. Benefield.
“A He kept putting me off and saying he was going to get my new truck.
“Q When was the second time that you talked to him ? When did you talk to him after that ?
“A Well, the day that I indicted him was the last time that I talked to him.
“MR. PAUL J. HOOTON: We object to that, and move to exclude it.
“THE COURT: That’s out, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
“Q You mean the day that you came before the grand jury?
“A Yes, sir.
“Q What, if anything, did he say to you then ?
“A He said a lots of things.”

However, for that 1966 truck, he received a check which, with endorsement (State’s Exhibit “1”), read as follows:

"COMMERCIAL No. _ BANK OF ROANOKE Roanoke, Alabama Member Federal Deposit January 8 1968 Insurance Corporation
"PAY TO
The Order of C. B. Alsobrook_ $1550.00 THE SUM OF $1,550 and 00 cts DOLLARS B & C & K Motors
"For 1966 Pick-up M Benefield Fleetside 10 cab
R F Kelley_ "Endorsement on Back: C. B. Alsobrook
"Attached to Check:
RETURNED BY THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF ROANOKE, ALA. _Roanoke, Alabama_
"X Insufficient
Funds
Endorsement Missing Not as Drawn
Wrong Bank
Signature
Uncollected
Funds
Other Reason (Specify)
FEB 10 1968"

Also, Alsobrook was lent an interim truck under a document of loan (State’s Exhibit “2”) :

“1-2-68
“This 1955 Chevrolet ]/z ton Blue Pick-up has been loaned to Mr. C B Alsobrook to drive until his new 1968 Pick-up truck has been delivered. Delivery date is 4-6 wks from date ordered.
“B & K Motors
“Earl Benefield
“Tames D. Clark
[595]*595“If any additional information is needed please contact B & K Motors Day Phone 6141 Night Phone 2-2013
“Personally approved before me this the 2nd day of January 1968.
“Louise N. McKenley
“Notary Public”

On cross, Alsobrook stated:

“Q

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Related

Merrl v. State
408 So. 2d 169 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama, 1981)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
246 So. 2d 479, 46 Ala. App. 592, 1970 Ala. Crim. App. LEXIS 445, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/benefield-v-state-alacrimapp-1970.