People v. Wirth

Michigan Supreme Court

People v. Wirth

66 N.W. 41, 108 Mich. 307, 1896 Mich. LEXIS 972

CourtMichigan Supreme Court

DecidedFebruary 7, 1896

StatusPublished

Cited by16 cases

This text of 66 N.W. 41 (People v. Wirth) 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. Wirth, 66 N.W. 41, 108 Mich. 307, 1896 Mich. LEXIS 972 (Mich. 1896).

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Opinion

Grant, J.

Under an information charging the respondent with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less thhn murder, he was convicted of assault and battery.

1. It is first insisted that there was no evidence that the respondent participated in the assault, and that therefore the court should have directed an acquittal. We think there was evidence upon this point for the consideration of the jury, but it is not important to state it.

2. Complaint is made that the assistant prosecuting attorney, in addressing the jury, said, “I believe the evidence shows that they [the witnesses for the defense] are a lot of liars,” Two witnesses, aside from the respondent, were sworn for the defense. Their, character and conduct in relation to the alleged assault were before the jury. Upon them the attorney based the argument that they were not worthy of belief. While the language was severe, we cannot hold that it was not justified. We are not. aware of any decision which holds that an attorney-may not state to the jury his belief that a witness is or is not entitled to credence, in a case where the testimony is conflicting, and the result depends upon which witnesses [309]*309the jury find are truthful. A broad latitude must be allowed in such cases.

3. One John St. Clair was sworn as a witness for the respondent, and testified he was present at the assault; that one Montgomery made it, and that respondent was in the saloon at the time. On cross-examination, the prosecuting attorney elicited from the witness the fact that he was present at the examination of Montgomery and respondent, both of whom were charged with making the assault, and that he heard Montgomery swear that he did not make it. We think this testimony was competent, While the witness was under no legal obligation to disclose to the prosecution what he knew about the case, yet the fact that he did know and permitted the guilty party to escape and an innocent party to be held for trial without imparting his knowledge of the transaction, was competent evidence to affect his credibility.

The conviction is affirmed,

The other Justices concurred.

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Grant, J.

Under an information charging the respondent with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less thhn murder, he was convicted of assault and battery.

1. It is first insisted that there was no evidence that the respondent participated in the assault, and that therefore the court should have directed an acquittal. We think there was evidence upon this point for the consideration of the jury, but it is not important to state it.

2. Complaint is made that the assistant prosecuting attorney, in addressing the jury, said, “I believe the evidence shows that they [the witnesses for the defense] are a lot of liars,” Two witnesses, aside from the respondent, were sworn for the defense. Their, character and conduct in relation to the alleged assault were before the jury. Upon them the attorney based the argument that they were not worthy of belief. While the language was severe, we cannot hold that it was not justified. We are not. aware of any decision which holds that an attorney-may not state to the jury his belief that a witness is or is not entitled to credence, in a case where the testimony is conflicting, and the result depends upon which witnesses [309]*309the jury find are truthful. A broad latitude must be allowed in such cases.

3. One John St. Clair was sworn as a witness for the respondent, and testified he was present at the assault; that one Montgomery made it, and that respondent was in the saloon at the time. On cross-examination, the prosecuting attorney elicited from the witness the fact that he was present at the examination of Montgomery and respondent, both of whom were charged with making the assault, and that he heard Montgomery swear that he did not make it. We think this testimony was competent, While the witness was under no legal obligation to disclose to the prosecution what he knew about the case, yet the fact that he did know and permitted the guilty party to escape and an innocent party to be held for trial without imparting his knowledge of the transaction, was competent evidence to affect his credibility.

The conviction is affirmed,

The other Justices concurred.

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Bluebook (online)

66 N.W. 41, 108 Mich. 307, 1896 Mich. LEXIS 972, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-wirth-mich-1896.

Opinion

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