Enyart v. People

Supreme Court of Colorado

Enyart v. People

201 P. 564, 70 Colo. 362, 1921 Colo. LEXIS 348

Supreme Court of Colorado·Decided July 5, 1921·No. No. 10,098·Published·Cited by 8 cases

Opinion

Mr. Justice Denison

delivered the opinion of the court.

The defendant was convicted of selling two quarts of whisky to one Vinyard.

A witness was permitted to testify that he had smelt and tasted the liquor which the accused sold and that it was whisky. It is objected that such evidence was improper. It was proper. It is objected that the witness was not shown to be qualified to judge. Such testimony is not ex[363]*363pert testimony any more than that of one who has tested salt or sugar and testifies to what it is. Of his qualifications the trial court must decide. People v. Kinney, 124 Mich. 486, 83 N. W. 147.

It is objected that the jury was allowed to examine and smell the liquor in court. Such evidence is called real or autoptic evidence. In general it is allowed, and is usually the most reliable evidence. Wig. Ev., §§ 1150-1160. The cases are not in harmony. In Wadsworth v. Dunnam, 117 Ala. 661, 23 South. 699, it was said to be improper to allow the jury to take liquor to their room, for the reason that evidence should be in open court. In State v. Coggins, 10 Kas. App. 455, 62 Pac. 247, and State v. Lindgrove, 1 Kas. App. 51, 41 Pac. 688, it was held improper to allow the jury to examine and smell bottles of whisky. In Commonwealth v. Brelsford, 161 Mass. 61, 63, 36 N. E. 677, it was held improper to allow the jury to taste the liquor. In People v. Kinney, supra, it was held proper for the jury to taste the liquor.

The question of taste is not before us. It is proper, however, we think, to permit the jury to look at and smell the liquor alleged to be intoxicating, for the purpose of determining its character. It is like shutting their eyes to the truth to do otherwise.

Some other points are made, but they are either frivolous or not excepted to, or not in the motion for new trial. So we do not notice them here.

Supersedeas denied and the judgment affirmed.

Mr. Justice Teller sitting for Mr. Chief Justice Scott and Mr. Justice Whitford concur.

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Mr. Justice Denison

delivered the opinion of the court.

The defendant was convicted of selling two quarts of whisky to one Vinyard.

A witness was permitted to testify that he had smelt and tasted the liquor which the accused sold and that it was whisky. It is objected that such evidence was improper. It was proper. It is objected that the witness was not shown to be qualified to judge. Such testimony is not ex[363]*363pert testimony any more than that of one who has tested salt or sugar and testifies to what it is. Of his qualifications the trial court must decide. People v. Kinney, 124 Mich. 486, 83 N. W. 147.

It is objected that the jury was allowed to examine and smell the liquor in court. Such evidence is called real or autoptic evidence. In general it is allowed, and is usually the most reliable evidence. Wig. Ev., §§ 1150-1160. The cases are not in harmony. In Wadsworth v. Dunnam, 117 Ala. 661, 23 South. 699, it was said to be improper to allow the jury to take liquor to their room, for the reason that evidence should be in open court. In State v. Coggins, 10 Kas. App. 455, 62 Pac. 247, and State v. Lindgrove, 1 Kas. App. 51, 41 Pac. 688, it was held improper to allow the jury to examine and smell bottles of whisky. In Commonwealth v. Brelsford, 161 Mass. 61, 63, 36 N. E. 677, it was held improper to allow the jury to taste the liquor. In People v. Kinney, supra, it was held proper for the jury to taste the liquor.

The question of taste is not before us. It is proper, however, we think, to permit the jury to look at and smell the liquor alleged to be intoxicating, for the purpose of determining its character. It is like shutting their eyes to the truth to do otherwise.

Some other points are made, but they are either frivolous or not excepted to, or not in the motion for new trial. So we do not notice them here.

Supersedeas denied and the judgment affirmed.

Mr. Justice Teller sitting for Mr. Chief Justice Scott and Mr. Justice Whitford concur.

Enyart v. People, 201 P. 564, 70 Colo. 362, 1921 Colo. LEXIS 348 (Colo. 1921).

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