People v. Johnson

38 P. 91, 104 Cal. 418, 1894 Cal. LEXIS 928

• Court: California Supreme Court
• Decided: October 28, 1894
• Docket: No. 21137
• Status: Published

Opinion

Temple, C.

The defendant was convicted of the crime of grand larceny, and, his motion for a new trial having been denied, he appeals from the judgment and from the order.

Appellant’s first point is that the jury was irregularly impaneled. It seems that when the case was called for trial counsel for the people and for the defense each announced themselves as ready for trial. The judge then said, “call the jurors.” The bailiff then proceeded to select from the persons present twelve men, who were regularly returned under order of the court to serve as jurors in that department. The bailiff proceeded to place the twelve men in the jury-box, and the clerk went to the jury-box, and, interrogating each man as to his name, wrote it down on a sheet of paper; then, returning to his place, called the names, and they were sworn to answer as to their qualifications; they were accepted and sworn as jurors.

This'mode of impaneling a jury differs materially from that prescribed in the statutes of the state, and if it had been done against the objection of defendant it would have constituted sufficient reason for reversal. But no objection was raised

Appellant contends that the irregularity is one that cpuld not be waived. That the defendant has not had a jury trial unless the jury be impaneled in the mode prescribed.

But we cannot take that view. The jurors were taken from those who had been regularly drawn and summoned, but not in the prescribed order. It is plainly but an irregularity, and was waived by failing to object.

Appellant next objects to an instruction given in the following words: “A motion was made here to dismiss this case because of want of proof. I denied that motion, because there is testimony enough before you to; sustain a conviction, provided you believe it; and it is for you to say what you believe about it.” It is said that this is an instruction to the effect that if the jury believe the evidence they must convict, which is a charge as to the effect of the evidence.

It is evident such is not the meaning of the instruction. The judge was cautioning the jury against concluding from this ruling that he had determined that the defendant was guilty. He says, in effect: “There being testimony which would sustain a conviction if you convict, it was my duty to overrule the motion, but I did not decide that the testimony is true; that is for you.”

I think the judgment and order should be affirmed.

Searls, O., and Vanclief, C., concurred.

For the reasons given in the foregoing opinion the judgment and order appealed from are affirmed.

Van Fleet, J., Garoutte, J., Harrison, J.

Hearing in Bank denied.