Gaines v. State

320 S.W.2d 157, 167 Tex. Crim. 271, 1959 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 1826

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: January 28, 1959
• Docket: No. 30,345
• Status: Published

Opinion

MORRISON, Presiding Judge.

The offense is transportation of beer in a dry area; the punishment, 3 months in jail and a fine of $500.00.

It was stipulated that Justice Precinct #1 of Concho County was a dry area. Terry, Constable of said precinct, testified that on the day in question he observed a gray Pontiac automobile being loaded with beer at a tavern in an adjoining precinct. He stated that after the automobile drove over into Precinct #1 he stopped the same, shone his flashlight in the rear, and observed nine cases of beer, that he asked the appellant, who was the driver, if he had any more beer, and the appellant replied in the affirmative; whereupon they opened the trunk of the automobile and there found one additional case of beer. He stated that he arrested one Robles, who was seated in the automobile, for being intoxicated and arrested the appellant for transporting.

The appellant did not testify or offer any evidence in his own behalf.

By brief, the appellant contends that the court committed fundamental error in failing to instruct the jury that appellant’s failure to testify should not be considered by them in reaching its verdict. This court has recently held in Galan v. State, 164 Texas Cr. Rep. 521, 301 S.W. 2d 141. that it is not error for the court to refuse such a charge when requested.

Finding the evidence sufficient to sustain the conviction and no reversible error appearing, the judgment is affirmed.