Nelson v. State

43 So. 18, 149 Ala. 26, 1907 Ala. LEXIS 259

• Court: Supreme Court of Alabama
• Decided: February 7, 1907
• Status: Published

Opinion

McCLELLAN, J. —

The defendant, upon her trial, objected to the examination of one Nettie Slaughter, a witness introduced by the state, on the ground that the witness’ name was not on the copy of the indictment served on defendant. There was no merit in the objection.

From the bill of exceptions it appears that, after the testimony had all been taken, “the defendant asked the court to charge the jury as follows,” and then numerous numbered statements, purporting to be special charges, are set out. We are not advised by anything in the record whether the alleged special charges, with one exception, to be mentioned, were requsted in writing, nor of the action of the court thereon, whether given or refused. —Code 1896, § 3327; Henderson’s Case, 137 Ala. 83, 34 South. 828.

Charge (so called) numbered 21, it appears, was partially “‘read” by the court to the jury, but before completing the reading the court announced that it was bad, and “marked it refused.” It is inferable that this charge was in writing, since it was’ “read,” and also that it was refused, in writing, by the court. While it is a matter of very serious doubt whether it is sufficiently shown by the record that the request ivas written, within the provisions of Code, § 3327, it is clear that the charge,, if such, was properly refused, for' the reason, among others, that it predicated acquittal of this defendant, in connection with other elements of self-defense hypothesized, Upon impending danger of life or of great bodily harm, without stating the qualification that such reasonable belief thereof must have been begotten by the attendant circumstances, fairly creating it and honestly entertained by the defendant, at the time the fatal shot was fired.

There was no error shown in the record, and affirmance must result.

Affirmed.

Tyson, C. J., and Dowdell and Anderson, JJ., concur.