Leo v. State

89 N.W. 303, 63 Neb. 723, 1902 Neb. LEXIS 78

• Court: Nebraska Supreme Court
• Decided: February 6, 1902
• Docket: No. 12,378
• Status: Published

Opinion

Holcomb, J.

A careful perusal of the record of the prosecution of the plaintiff in error (defendant below) leads to the conclusion that the judgment of conviction ought not to be permitted to stand, and this altogether without regard to the merits of the question of guilt or innocence of the accused. To affirm the judgment does violence to well-settled and recognized rules of practice and procedure in criminal prosecutions, and establishes a precedent that would be in violation of our conception of the rights of every individual charged with crime, and of safeguards thrown round him in a prosecution for the commission of such crime. The defendant is charged with robbery from the person, by putting in fear and intimidating the person robbed. The offense for which he is prosecuted, is commonly called a “hold-up”; that is, by threats and the use of deadly weapons money was charged to have been taken from the cash drawer of a saloon in Omaha from and in the presence of the proprietor. Two others, patrons of the saloon, were also in the room at the time of the robbery. The defense interposed was an alibi. No person identified the accused, save the prosecuting witness, the proprietor of the saloon to whom the accused was a stranger prior to the transaction, but Avho, after the arrest, was identified by the witness as one of three parties engaged in the robbery. The two other witnesses present were unable to identify him as one of the actors. Otherwise, the evidence was circumstantial. The accused took the witness stand in his own behalf, denied that he was at the place where the crime occurred, and testified, with others, that he was at a hotel in South Omaha, some three or four miles distant.

Strenuous complaint is made because of the manner in which the prosecution at the trial was carried on; it being-argued and assigned as error that the trial court abused its discretion in interrogating the different witnesses during the trial of the cause, and that the assistant prosecuting attorney was guilty of irregularities and misconduct prejudicial to the rights of the defendant, and for the purpose of unduly influencing the jury against him, by asking the accused, while a witness in his own behalf, incompetent and prejudicial questions. It is to these two assignments of error that we address ourselves.

In a bill of exceptions containing the evidence and covering some 140 pages, on over thirty pages it is disclosed that the examination of the different witnesses by counsel for the state and defendant was interrupted by the trial court for the purpose of permitting the court to interrogate the witness regarding the matter under investigation. At different times the questions thus asked the witnesses by the court were objected to by defendant’s counsel, and, it being, apparent that the questions were improper, the court sustained the objections to its own questions. Other objections were made by defendant’s counsel and overruled. The questions in'many instances were entirely proper, and served only the purpose of bringing out the truth and conducing to a clearer understanding of the testimony of the witness. Their tendency, in the main, was not violative of any of the proprieties which should obtain; was not calculated to prejudice the defendant or do other than bring about a proper administration of justice. The great number of questions thus asked the different witnesses by the court we regard as in itself immaterial if the questions were of such character to make them appear to be essential to the administration of justice, and disclosed no leaning on the part of the presiding judge, either in favor of or against the defendant. We see no impropriety in a trial court interrogating witnesses regarding’ a fact under investigation, when the tendency is only to develop the truth, and is calculated in nowise to influence the jury, save as the testimony will assist them to arrive at a correct conclusion on the questions of fact in issue. Where, however, the questions are of such character as to induce in the minds of the jury a belief that the court is of the opinion the accused is guilty, and the questions are propounded for the purpose of fastening guilt on him, such procedure would be clearly prejudicial to the substantial rights of the defendant, and require a reversal of a judgment of conviction, if it should follow. In some few instances in the record before us the questions asked by the court are far more appropriate as coming from a public prosecutor and had, we are satisfied, an unfavorable influence with the jury against the accused. The discretion resting with the trial court to interrogate witnesses, was carried to its full limit and beyond, and its abuse of such discretion was evidently prejudicial to the rights of the defendant, rendering it impossible to say that his guilt has been established fairly, and by a jury uninfluenced by any consideration save the force of the legitimate evidence in the cause presented to them for their consideration. The subject in hand has been heretofore considered by this court in Fager v. State, 22 Nebr., 332, where it-is held: “While it is the right of a trial judge to interrogate witnesses when essential to the administration of justice, yet the practice of so doing, except when absolutely necessary, should be discouraged. The common law rule conferring arbitrary power upon trial judges has been so far modified by the Code as to greatly limit this power, and in case of its abuse, a reviewing court would not hesitate to-give a new trial to the injured party.” Says Maxwell, C. J., in a concurring opinion (page 341) : “In my view our statute has changed the common law so far as to practically prohibit the presiding judge from examining the witnesses in whole or in part in a criminal case. A trial can not be fair and impartial if the judge is permitted, either directly or indirectly, to express an opinion upon the facts. His opinion necessarily would have great weight with the jury, and as he is not permitted directly to give his views upon the facts he should not be permitted to do so indirectly, either by his conduct or the form of questions to witnesses. It may be said that in some cases it would be impossible to convict a party, unless the judge should bring his influence to bear upon the jury. Such an argument, instead of being in favor of the practice, is directly opposed to it. Ordinarily, if the facts will justify the jury in finding a verdict of guilty, the probabilities are that they will do so. If the testimony leaves the guilt of the accused in doubt he is entitled to the benefit of that doubt, and no influence outside of the testimony should be brought to bear upon the jury to induce them to overcome such doubt. Otherwise, the accused will be deprived of a constitutional guaranty — á fair trial, and perhaps be unjustly convicted.”

While the opinion expressed by the then chief justice is perhaps stronger than is warranted by any sound principle of law or rule of practice, or necessary for the proper administration of justice, yet it but emphasizes the wisdom and necessity of an abundance of caution on the part of every trial judge to refrain from any participation in the trial of a criminal case which could be construed as an expression of opinion by the court, and thereby unduly and unfavorably influencing a jury as triers of the facts involved in the controversy.

The conduct of the assistant prosecuting attorney in the trial of the case does not appear to be in conformity with law. The result of the acts complained of was prejudicial, to the defendant, and denied him the fair and unbiased consideration of the legitimate evidence by the jury to which he was entitled. The prosecution appears to have been conducted on the theory that the accused was a hard character, which fact should be considered by the jury in determining his guilt of the crime charged. A police officer was on the witness stand, and was asked by the prosecution how long he had known the accused. The question was objected to. It was then stated by the prosecutor: “I want to show that he [the witness] has known him [the accused] a long time and had him under observation for other jobs.” Objections and exceptions were taken to the statement, and the jury advised by the court to disregard the remarks by the prosecuting attorney as to what he wanted to prove. While a reasonable effort was made by the court to cure the error, we are not sure its evil effect was entirely neutralized. The poisoned shaft had sped its way, and it is difficult to conceive how the jury could thereafter have been oblivious of or ignored the fact that the accused was a suspicious character, and under police surveillance, because believed to be engaged in the perpetration of “other jobs,” or, in other Avords, in the commission of different crimes Avdüch are constantly occurring in metropolitan cities where the aúcíous and criminally inclined are wont to congregate. The statement, without reproof from the court, was highly prejudicial, and most damaging to the character of the defendant, and its insidious influences were set in motion in a.way wholly unauthorized. A mere statement to disregard the remark probably fell short of effecting the desired object. The statement of Avhat the state Avanted to show Avas, in effect, an offer to prove the fact stated, with the means of doing so in the person of the police officer then on the Avitness stand, and in the presence of the jury. Can there be any serious doubt in the mind of any that, Avith the scene before the jury as then enacted, the statement carried conviction as to the truth of the fact offered to be proved? And probably it was true, but whether true or not it could have no legitimate bearing on the question of the guilt of the defendant of the offense then being investigated. It rationally follows that for the remainder of the trial the minds of the jury were poisoned regarding the defendant. There was ever before them and held up to their view the suggestion that the accused was a police suspect, guilty of various crimes, and for that reason it was more probable that he was guilty of the one charged. In Krum v. State, 19 Nebr., 728, regarding a like question, it is pertinently observed by Maxwell, C. J. • “In St. Louis v. State, 8 Nebr., 405, 411, where an improper question was asked and excluded, this court refused to reverse the case for that cause alone. A different rule, however, may obtain where there is an offer of evidence which is clearly incompetent, as that the defendant has committed a crime other than that ' with which he is charged. The effect of such an offer can not fail to be. prejudicial to the accused on the minds of the jury, and nothing that the court can say will entirely obliterate the effect. Cases are to be tried upon the evidence, and the guilt of the accused determined from that alone, and no prosecuting officer should be permitted to supply its place with prejudice.” Leahy v. State, 31 Nebr., 566, was a prosecution where the accused was a witness in his own behalf, and was asked in cross-examination if he had not been guilty of attempting to commit a similar crime soon after the time of the one he was being tried for, the prosecuting officer, when objection was made, stating that it was intended to follow the matter up, and show that such was the case. The witness had been summoned, by which it was expected to prove such fact, and in explanation it was said on behalf of the state that, in the opinion of the prosecutor, he had the right to show such fact. ' It was held that the conduct of the prosecutor was unwarranted and prejudicial to the accused. In a civil case (Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co. v. Kellogg, 55 Nebr., 748), after discussing the subject as affecting the trial of civil cases, it is said by the present chief justice: “We do not, however, wish to be understood as holding that a rebuke from the court, or even a complete retraction by the offending counsel, is in all cases of this kind a sovereign remedy. If the transgress sioji be flagrant — if the offensive remark has stricken deep, and is of such a character that neither rebuke nor retraction can entirely destroy its sinister influence — a new trial should be promptly awarded, regardless of the want of an objection and exception,” — citing Florence Cotton & Iron Co. v. Field, 16 So. Rep. [Ala.], 538; Bullard v. Boston & M. R., 64 N. H., 27, 10 Am. St. Rep., 367, 27 Am. & Eng. R. Cases, 119; Cleveland Paper Co. v. Banks, 14 Nebr., 20; Ashland Live Stock Co. v. May, 51 Nebr., 474; Tucker v. Henniker, 41 N. H., 317; Martin v. State, 63 Miss., 505; Rudolph v. Landwerlen, 92 Ind., 34.

Were the statements we have been considering the only act in the nature of misconduct on the part of the assistant prosecutor, regarding which merited criticism can be urged, we would hesitate before holding the act so prejudicially erroneous, in view of the court’s direction to the jury to disregard it, as to, on that ground alone, call for a reversal of the judgment. This statement, made while a police officer was on the stand as a witness on behalf of the state, appears to be but the beginning of an effort, probably unintentional, to unduly influence the jury in an unauthorized way. In the cross-examination of the accused while a witness for himself, several questions were asked, of a series for the most part improper and incompetent, and well calculated to lead the jury astray, and to deny to the accused the same treatment as a witness, as that accorded to all other Avitnesses. In several questions propounded in cross-examination the accused was asked': “llave you ever been arrested before?” “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” “Isn’t it a fact, Mr. Leo, that you have served time in the penitentiary in the state of Nebraska?” “Have you ever been convicted of a crime and sent to the state penitentiary at Lincoln as a punishment for that crime?” “And you never at any time were convicted of a felony, and sent to the state penitentiary of the state of Nebraska, at Lincoln?” Some of these questions were answered in the negative and some, on the objections of defendant’s counsel, were unanswered. It does not appear, nor have we any reason to believe, that the defendant had ever before been convicted of a felony, or that the questions were asked under the provisions of section 338 of the Code, providing that a witness may be interrogated as to his previous conviction of a felony for the purpose of affecting the credibility of such witness. We are warranted in assuming this, because the prosecution offered no competent evidence of that fact. The records showing sm-h conviction' must have been accessible to the state, and, when not produced, we can only infer that no such record was in existence; and, if that be true, then an unfair advantage Avas taken of the accused by an effort, ostensibly for the purpose of laying the foundation for the introduction of the record of conviction, to ask many incompetent, improper and prejudicial questions which could have no other object than to unduly influence the jury to defendant’s prejudice. The section referred to provides: “A witness may be interrogated as to his previous conviction of a felony. But no other proof of such conviction is competent except the record thereof.” The scope and effect of this section is to alloAV the Avitness to be interrogated as to whether he has before been convicted of a felony, calling his attention thereto, so that he may make admission thereof, or the introduction of the record of such conviction in evidence. Young Men’s Christian Association v. Rawlings, 60 Nebr., 377. It is not contemplated by the statute that an accused, AArhen a Avitness in his OAvn behalf, should be treated differently from other witnesses, or that the statute should be used as a cover to ask incompetent or improper questions, calculated to prejudice the accused before thé jury by whom he is being tried. The questions, in the way in which they Avere put to the defendant, can hardly be regarded as for any other purpose than to engender in the minds of a jury the belief that the accused was addicted to criminal acts, and had been guilty of other independent and distinct offenses than the one for which he was being tried. This could serve no lawful purpose in establishing his guilt of the crime charged, and must, we think, be regarded so unwarranted as to amount to prejudicial error. In Elliott v. State, 34 Nebr., 48, it is said: “Such cross-examination is highly improper and can not fail to be prejudicial. A prosecuting officer, in his zeal to enforce the law' must not forget that he also occupies a semi-judicial position, and that his duty requires him to resort to no questionable or improper means to secure a conviction. * ' * * The questions quoted and others of like kind must have been prejudicial to the accused. Where a defendant in a criminal case offers himself as a witness on his own behalf, he is subject to the same rules of cross-examination as other witnesses, and it is the duty of the court to keep the cross-examination within the law.” And in Marion v. State, 16 Nebr., 349, it is held: “When in a prosecution for murder the defendant on his trial becomes a witness in his own behalf, it is incompetent on cross-examination, for the purpose of affecting his credibility as a witness, to ask him if he had not pleaded guilty to a penitentiary offense in another state; the entering of a plea of guilty without judgment or sentence not being a conviction within the meaning of section 338 of the Civil Code of Nebraska.” In the opinion is found a discussion of the meaning of the words “conviction of a felony.” Says the supreme court of California: “Equally with the court, the district attorney, as the representative of law and justice, should be fair and impartial. He should remember that it is not his sole duty to convict, and that to use his official position to obtain a verdict by illegitimate and unfair means is to bring his office and the courts into distrust.” People v. Lee Chuck, 78 Cal., 317, 329. In People v. Wells, 34 Pac. Rep. [Cal.], 1078, the subject is exhaustively discussed, and many authorities cited and quoted from, establishing the rule that, when an unfair advantage is gained over an accused by improper methods of practice while conducting the prosecution, it will be deemed prejudicial, and a new trial granted. At the close of the opinion it is said: “Therefore the credibility of appellant was a most important matter in the case, and whatever tended to impair that credibility was material in the highest degree; and that the conduct of the prosecuting attorney so tended is entirely clear. It is too much the habit of prosecuting officers to assume beforehand that a defendant is guilty, and then expect to have the established rules of evidence twisted, and all the features of a fair trial distorted, in order to secure a conviction. If a defendant can not be fairly convicted, he should not be convicted at all; and to hold otherwise would be to provide ways and means for the conviction of the innocent.” See also People v. Cahoon, 50 N. W. Rep. [Mich.], 384.

Note. — The case of Knim v. State, 19 Nebr., 728, 730, cited in the foregoing, contains a tender of proof by the district attorney, who was also of counsel in the supreme court. Judge Maxwell’s comment cited in the foregoing opinion was upon that tender of proof. The tender of proof is found on pages 729 and 730 of the nineteenth volume of the Nebraska Reports. The purpose of that tender of proof, was to prove an escape .or flight from justice as a circumstance tending- to prove guilt. Escape, disguise and similar acts afford, in connection with other proof, the basis from which guilt may be inferred. Whax-ton, Criminal Evidence, pars. 714, 750; State v. Williams, 54 Mo., 170; Fanning v. State, 14 Mo., 386. The case of Krum v. State, supra, was reversed because the word “any” appeared in place of “all” in an instruction. This was probably a mistake in copying due to illegible chirography. — Reporter.

The series of questions asked the accused in the case at bar, and statements made by the assistant prosecutor, to which we have adverted, were a departure from legal methods which should obtain in the prosecution of those charged with the commission of felonies, and prejudicial to his rights, preventing a fair and impartial trial, such as he is lawfully entitled to; and because of which and for the reasons first stated, the judgment must be reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings.

.Reversed and remanded.