People v. Larubia

23 N.Y.S. 579, 69 Hun 197, 10 N.Y. Crim. 456, 53 St. Rep. 415, 76 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 197, 53 N.Y. St. Rep. 415
New York Supreme Court·Decided May 12, 1893·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

VAN BRUNT, P. J.

In the consideration of this appeal it will only be necessary to consider the exceptions raised to the overruling of the challenge of one of the jurors. The proceedings in reference to this juror are short, and they are inserted here precisely as they appear upon the record:

“Abner McKinley, who was sworn and examined, and testified as follows: Direct examination by Mr. Simms: I have no conscientious opinion in respect to capital punishment such as would preclude me from finding the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree, provided the evidence satisfied me of his guilt beyond all reasonable doubt. I do not now that I have any prejudice against the infliction of the death penalty by electricity. It would have no weight upon my mind in the consideration of the evidence in this case, or determining the degree of the verdict. I am not acquainted with Mr. Blake, the counsel for the defendant, and have no prejudice against the defendant on account of his nationality. I have not heard of this case before, and have no impression or opinion now as to the defendant’s guilt, or innocence. Question. Do you know of any reason to prevent you from acting as a fair and impartial juror if selected in this case? Answer. Yes, I do. Q. Please state it? A. I am not a citizen of this state, and I do not believe I am liable to jury duty, and I therefore feel I am forced here against my will. The Court: I have decided that the juror is liable to jury dur.y under the laws of this state. That requires him to serve, and he should serve. The Juror: With all due deference to your honor’s decision, I differ. Mr. Simms: . Challenge withdrawn. Cross-examination by Mr. Blake: Q. What is your business? A. I am an attorney at law, but I do not practice here in this city. I practiced in Ohio. I have been in practice. I was in active practice for fifteen or sixteen years. I have tried criminal cases. Q. You can give this man a fair and impartial trial? A. I don’t know whether I could or not. Q. On the merits? A. I don’t know whether I could or not. Q. Do you know of any prejudice growing out of this case other than that you are not liable to jury duty? A. I do not believe the defendant wants me. Q. I may want you. A. I do not want to deceive you if I got into that jury. Any little pique I may have will not be taken for or against the defendant, and I do not believe the defendant wants me. I have no prejudice against his nationality. Q. Or any prejudice against him by reason of the fact that he carried a pistol? A. Yes, a great prejudice. I don’t be[581] lieve any man lias any right to carry a deadly weapon. Q. Not even with a permit? A. No, sir. He should be responsible for his acts. If he is a quarrelsome fellow, he should be responsible for his acts. Q. Sometimes men are assaulted without any provocation whatever. You are a lawyer. What is he going to do ? A. There are so many cases where people have had deadly weapons, if they did not have them, there would be no murder, nor no great bodily harm. Q. Sometimes if they did not have them they might be dead men. A. Not as a general rule. I am absolutely honest in this matter. Q. You do not want to serve? A. I do not, and it would be a very great hardship if I should be compelled to serve. Mr. Blake: I submit the challenge for cause. The Court: The challenge is overruled; exception taken. Mr. Blake: I suppose the challenge is with the people. Mr. Weeks: We have no peremptory challenge. Mr. Blake: He is challenged peremptorily on the part of the defense.”

It is claimed upon the part of the defendant that the overruling of the challenge was error prejudicial to the defendant, and we are of the opinion that this point is well taken. It appeared that the killing in question was committed by the prisoner with a pistol which he had been in the habit of carrying; and upon the examination of the juror he was asked whether he had any prejudice against the prisoner by reason of the fact that he carried a pistol. His answer, as appears above, was:

“Yes, a great prejudice. I don’t believe a man has any right to carry a deadly weapon. Question. Not even with a permit? Answer. No sir; he should be responsible for his acts. If he is a quarrelsome fellow, he should be responsible for his acts. Q. Sometimes men are assaulted without any provocation. You are a lawyer. What is he going to do? A. There are so many cases where people have had deadly weapons, if they didn’t have them, there would be no murder, nor any great bodily harm. Q. Sometimes if they didn’t have them they would be dead men. A. Not as a general rule. I am absolutely honest in this matter.”

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People v. Larubia, 23 N.Y.S. 579, 69 Hun 197, 10 N.Y. Crim. 456, 53 St. Rep. 415, 76 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 197, 53 N.Y. St. Rep. 415 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1893).

23 N.Y.S. 579 (People v. Larubia) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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