People v. Moore

118 N.W. 742, 155 Mich. 107, 1908 Mich. LEXIS 943
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedDecember 14, 1908
DocketDocket No. 172
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 118 N.W. 742 (People v. Moore) 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. Moore, 118 N.W. 742, 155 Mich. 107, 1908 Mich. LEXIS 943 (Mich. 1908).

Opinion

Ostrander, J.

Respondent was convicted of having [109]*109been engaged in the business of selling and with having sold spirituous and intoxicating liquors at retail without having paid' the tax required of retail liquor dealers. 2 Comp. Laws, § 5385. No testimony was introduced on the part of respondent. Two principal questions were submitted to the jury; one whether business at the particular place was carried on by respondent, and the other whether he was there, and at the time laid in the information, engaged in the business of selling spirituous and intoxicating liquors at retail. There is abundant evidence tending to prove that the business was carried on by respondent, and that drinks were sold there during the year 1907, to and including the 18th day of December of that year. There is evidence that a liquor called “hot pop,” or “hop pop,” was sold there at various times during the year, that it appeared to be lager beer, and produced like effects upon some who were acquainted with both beverages. There is testimony that on December 18, 1907, a man named Cone, produced as a witness for the prosecution, drank this liquor at respondent’s place, drank no other liquor, drank at no other place, and became intoxicated. None of this was sold to the witness by respondent, but there is testimony tending to prove that the man who did sell it was employed by respondent “off and on,” and a jury could not well have refused to find that he represented respondent in selling whatever he found in the place for sale. The witness Cone testified that on December 18, 1907, two other men whom he named were present when he drank liquor at respondent’s place of business, and that they also drank there the same kind of liquor. It is assigned as error that the court did not compel the prosecuting attorney to present these men as witnesses. If this assignment is based upon an exception, if, indeed, the point was brought to the attention of the trial court, counsel have failed to refer to record evidence of the fact. We have found no reference to the subject in the record. These men were not res gestse witnesses, within the meaning of the rule which requires [110]*110that such witnesses shall be produced and examined by the prosecuting attorney. The offense respondent is charged with having committed is that of engaging in the business of selling liquor without having paid the tax. Evidence of a single sale of liquor on a particular day within the period laid in the information, coupled with evidence of other sales on that and on other days, would tend to prove the charge. There can be no doubt of the right of the prosecution to call witnesses who knew the fact to testify that they saw such sales of liquor made, to identified persons, without also calling those persons as witnesses. In any event, the testimony of other witnesses to prove the same or other sales would be cumulative.

During the progress of the trial, the prosecuting attorney asked and was granted leave to indorse upon the information the name of a witness. In permitting the name to be indorsed, the court said:

“In this case, it appears from the evidence of the prosecuting attorney that he knew nothing about this man’s evidence or about the name until today noon. For that reason I think I shall permit the indorsement, but I will say to the defendant’s attorney this: That it now being 15 minutes to 2, standard time, that this case will not be concluded today unless you so desire, but you may have until tomorrow morning to make such investigations as you desire in regard to this witness.”

During the same afternoon, the witness was called and examined, over the objection:

“We desire to object to any testimony from this witness, for the reason there is no proper notice or sufficient notice given to the respondent or his attorneys to investigate this witness’ testimony in this case.”

The objection was overruled and an exception taken. The record shows that, although the sheriff had subpoenaed the witness and had him in attendance at court on the previous day, the prosecuting attorney knew nothing of his presence and had no knowledge that he [111]*111was a material witness until a few minutes previous to asking permission to indorse his name upon the information. In the absence of a showing, at the trial or after verdict, that respondent was surprised, or that an investigation had developed facts affecting the credibility of the witness, we must test the fairness of the- ruling of the trial court by matter appearing to the court at the time of making the ruling. The discretion of the court was fairly exercised. The objection made to receiving the testimony of the witness conveys no intimation that an adjournment was desired until the next morning for the-purpose of making an investigation. It is not claimed that an adjournment was asked for. The court had offered it if counsel desired it. It was not error to admit the testimony.

The sheriff of the county was a witness for the people, and testified that, after having arrested respondent and read the warrant to him, respondent said, “Ihave paid the tax,” that he went with respondent at his request to the place of business — a pool room — where it is claimed the liquor was sold, and respondent took down and showed to him a paper, saying:

“There is my receipt for the government tax that I paid. I have got it posted in a conspicuous place — what I call a conspicuous place.”

This testimony having been given, the following occurred :

“Q. What was the date of this license ?
“Jir. Shields: We object to that as not the best evidence.
“The Court: I think we better show what he did with it, whether he has got it.
“Q. Have you got the license in your possession ?
“A. I have not.
“Q. In whose possession was that license when you last saw it ?
“A. Mr. Moore’s. possession.
. “Q. Have you seen it since ?
“A. I have not.
[112]*112“Q. Do you know where it is now ?
“A. No, sir.
“Mr. Green: Then I make a demand on counsel for respondent to produce that license in court.
“Mr. Howlett: It is the first time in my life that I ever heard a prosecuting attorney request the respondent to produce evidence to convict himself.
“Mr. Shields: I take an exception to it.
“The Court: He simply asked you to do it. You can do as you please about it. The respondent or the attorneys for the respondent do not have to produce any evidence.
“Mr. Shields: We do not understand that the prosecutor has a right even to make such a demand, in the presence of the jury.
“The Court: I think, where there is an objection made, he can ask you to produce it, and then it’s your choice to do as you think best about it. I don’t think any one would have a right to compel you to do it.
“Mr. Shields:

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Related

People v. Hill
241 N.W. 873 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1932)
People v. Powers
168 N.W. 938 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1918)
State v. Kilmer
153 N.W. 1089 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 1915)
People v. Lalonde
137 N.W. 74 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1912)
People v. Aldorfer
130 N.W. 351 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1911)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
118 N.W. 742, 155 Mich. 107, 1908 Mich. LEXIS 943, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-moore-mich-1908.