People v. Hutchings

100 N.W. 753, 137 Mich. 527
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedSeptember 13, 1904
DocketDocket No. 188
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 100 N.W. 753 (People v. Hutchings) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Hutchings, 100 N.W. 753, 137 Mich. 527 (Mich. 1904).

Opinion

Moore, C. J.

The respondent was convicted of the crime of larceny. He has brought the • case here upon, writ of error.

[529]*529Prior to October 11, 1902, Mrs. Claude E. Price was a resident of Bay City, where she had some money in a bank. In October, 1902, she lived on Duffield street, in Detroit. She requested the bank in Bay City to send her a draft. It sent her one for $187.31, payable to Mrs. C. E. Price, and inclosed it in a letter addressed to Mrs. C. E. Price, Detroit, Mich. The mail carrier, instead of delivering the letter to Mrs. C. E. Price, Duffield street, October 11th, delivered it to C. E. Price & Co., 1304 "West Fort street.

On October 13th the respondent presented it to the Wayne County Savings Bank, first indorsing his name on the back of it in the presence of the paying teller. It then had the words “Mrs C E Price” over the signature of Mr. Hutchings. He obtained the money on it.

Soon after this, it was found the indorsement purporting to be that of Mrs. Price was not hers. The paying teller went to respondent’s house, but he was not at home. Later Mr. Gardner, who had been in the employ of the bank, and was a relative of respondent, was requested to look him up. He did not find respondent at home, and left word for him that something was wrong with the draft. After respondent was told of this by his wife, he went to the bank, and the same information was given him. He expressed his surprise, and was requested to accompany the teller to police headquarters. On his way there he expressed his desire to make the bank good, and said he supposed the draft was all right. He explained he had assisted some men in making a horse trade at the market for which he was to be paid $5; that they had the draft, and, being strangers to the bank, wanted the respondent, who had. before dealt with the bank, to get the money; and that he drove with them in a buggy to the bank, where they waited outside while he got the money. He repeated this story to the officers after he got to the police headquarters. He was searched, and $12 was found on his person. Later he told the officers he got' the draft from C. E. Price & Co., and got it cashed at their request. [530]*530He also produced from his stocking $70. The two Prices were arrested, and they as well as defendant, after a preliminary examination, were held for trial in the recorder’s court. Respondent’s counsel demanded a separate trial for him. An information was filed against him for larceny, and, upon his standing mute when arraigned, a plea of not guilty was entered, and a trial was had, with the result before stated.

It was his claim upon the trial, and is here, that he was acquainted with the two Prices; that they owed him $50; 'that he desired to buy wood in the country, to sell again, and had sought a loan from them to enable him to do so; that they sent for him to come to their place of business, and showed him this draft, which had the indorsement on the back of it, “ Mrs C E Price,” and told him to get the money at the bank, pay himself what they owed him, use the balance to buy wood, and divide the profits with them; that he, in the utmost good faith, got the money at the bank, and that the occasion of his being in the country when the teller and Mr. Gardner looked for him was to buy wood; that he bought $90 worth of wood. A receipt for some of the money paid thereon, in his handwriting, except the signature, was produced in evidence on the trial. It was his further claim that when his wife told him about the draft he at once saw the Prices, who told him how to account for having the draft by telling the horse-trading story. It is his claim he acted in good faith in getting the money.

The Prices’ version is that the respondent took the draft from their desk, and made the indorsement and got the money after they told him they were afraid, and that the draft should be returned to the post office.

The record is long, and the assignments of error are many. It may be stated that the following grouping will cover them:

(1) Discharge of the jury; (2) prejudicial remarks by the court; (3) restriction of cross-examination; (4) evidence of restitution excluded; (5) comparison of hand[531]*531writing; (6) cross-examination of defendant; (?) police court testimony of codefendant E. W. Price; (8) argument of prosecutor; (9) charge of court and requests to charge; (10) variance between information and proof; (11) failure to file written reasons for denying motion.

As to groups 2, 3, 6, 10, 11, we think it unnecessary to .say more than that we have examined them in connection with the record, and do not think that they are well taken.

(1) Did the court err in discharging the first jury ? The facts in relation to that transaction are as follows: On the first day of the trial, after the jury were sworn and the counsel for the respective parties had made their opening statement, but before any testimony was taken, the case was adjourned until the next morning. The next morning one of the jurors was ill, and the case was adjourned until the following morning. The following morning the juror was still ill, and it became necessary to decide what should be done. Counsel for respondent desired that another juror be drawn from the regular panel, the jury resworn, and the trial proceed. The judge inquired if the respondent was in custody, and was informed that he was out on bail. The court then stated there were but five days remaining in'the term; that other business demanded the attention of the court; that the best interests of the people required the court to take up some other case; and directed an order to be entered reciting the facts, and discharging the 11 men from the further consideration of the case. "When a new jury was impaneled, objection was taken to any further proceedings on the ground that respondent had been once placed in jeopardy. We do not think the court erred in his conduct of this feature of the case. 1? Am. & Eng. Enc. Law (2d Ed.), pp. 1258-1260, and cases cited therein.

(4) Evidence of restitution excluded. Was there error in this ? The court might very properly have allowed respondent to show by the teller on the cross-examination all that occurred between the bhnk officers and the respondent. The substance of this, however, was gone into later, [532]*532and we do not think respondent was prejudiced as to this feature of the case to that extent as to require a reversal of the case for that reason.

(5) Was there error in relation to the comparison of handwriting? The receipt for wood was introduced in evidence by Mr. Hutchings. The draft was properly in evidence. We have no doubt it was proper to compare these handwritings. The record is not clear that Exhibit 2 was introduced in evidence, and when the question was raised the comparison with it was not urged.

(7) Did the court err in admitting the testimony of E. W. Price, given in the police court, to be read in evidence? Mr. Price was produced and sworn. When he was asked about the transaction his counsel claimed, as he had not been tried, he should not be compelled to answer, as his answer would serve to incriminate him. This claim was sustained. Against the objection of respondent, his testimony given in the police court, covering 10 pages of the printed record, was read to him, and he was permitted to answer that he so testified in the police court.

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Bluebook (online)
100 N.W. 753, 137 Mich. 527, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-hutchings-mich-1904.