Cannon v. American Indemnity Co.

70 S.W.2d 815, 1934 Tex. App. LEXIS 433
Court of Appeals of Texas·Decided May 3, 1934·No. No. 2579.·Published·Cited by 1 cases

Opinion

WALKER, Chief Justice.

This was an action' by appellant's, F. L. Cannon and wife, against appellees, R. D. Holliday, sheriff of Polk cóunty, and his surety, American Indemnity Company, for damages for false arrest. Judgment was for appellees 'upon trial, to the court without a jury, which has full support 'in the conclusions of fact filed by the trial' judge. ' The arrest was made under a search warrant directing the search of certain permises and the arrest of appellant F. L; Cannon. The warrant was issued upon-an affidavit made by Sheriff Holliday and’ his deputy J. B. Layton. In form the" affidavit 'and search warrant were in strict compliance' with the provisions of article 691, Penal Code 1925.

There is no merit in the .proposition that the affidavit was ’ based, upon “information and belief” of the affiants. The premises to be searched were particularly described and it was further stated “that at said place intoxicating liquors are possessed, ■ sold, transported, -manufactured in violation of law.; and that at such place are kept containers, *816 and instrumentalities used or to be used in the unlawful possession, sale, manufacture, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.”

We overrule the proposition that the sheriff and his deputy were not “competent” persons to make the affidavit. The contention seems to he that the language of article 691, supra, and the “public policy of the State,” disqualified the sheriff and his deputy from making the affidavit; and that the warrant issued thereon was absolutely void. The argument is that, because under article 1040, Oode of Criminal Procedure 1925, the sheriff is allowed compensation for the support and maintenance of his prisoners, the execution of the search warrant amounted to the execution of “process in his own favor.” These contentions are without force. There is nothing in the general statute disqualifying the sheriff and certainly the fact that he made the affidavit violates no principal of public policy.

The evidence raised issues supporting every statement in the affidavit. Though the private residence, searched by appellee, belonged to Mrs. R. H. Mills, F. D. Cannon’s mother-in-law, and she was living there at the time of the search, the evidence was further to the effect that F. D. Cannon had been living with his mother-in-law possibly as long as three months and was using the premises as headquarters for a somewhat extensive bootlegging business. Many gallons of beer were seized at the time of the search and utensils for bottling beer were also seized. The evidence was further to the effect that this beer was intoxicating. Drunken persons were arrested on the morning of the search as they were leaving the searched premises and the personal cheek, payable to F. L. Cannon, of. one of the persons arrested was also seized in the search. Though there was testimony to the effect that this check was in payment of chickens, the circumstances were sufficient to warrant the inference that it was issued in payment of bootleg beer. There was testimony that other persons bought intoxicating liquor from F. L. Cannon; that it was customary to send persons to the searched premises to buy intoxicating liquor from Cannon; and that ho secret was made in that community of that fact.

There is no merit in the contention that Sheriff-Holliday unlawfully restrained appellant F. L.Cannon after his arrest, by refusing him an examining trial. But, .on ■ the contrary, the evidence fully supports the following fact conclusion made by the court on this issue:

“That plaintiff, F. L. Cannon, was fully advised of his right to he carried before a magistrate at Divingston, but preferred to and did agree to await an examining trial to be held on the day of the regular term of Justice Court in said month, proposing and attempting to make an appearance bond for his appearance at such examining trial and before such examining court, and did waive examining trial and gave appearance bond to await the action of the grand jury on the charge against him, which was filed against him on October 13th, 1932, and charged possession of intoxicating liquor for purpose of sale”

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Cannon v. American Indemnity Co., 70 S.W.2d 815, 1934 Tex. App. LEXIS 433 (Tex. Ct. App. 1934).

70 S.W.2d 815 (Cannon v. American Indemnity Co.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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