Sebastian v. State

53 S.W. 875, 41 Tex. Crim. 248, 1899 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 180
CourtCourt of Criminal Appeals of Texas
DecidedNovember 22, 1899
DocketNo. 2019.
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 53 S.W. 875 (Sebastian v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Sebastian v. State, 53 S.W. 875, 41 Tex. Crim. 248, 1899 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 180 (Tex. 1899).

Opinion

EBOOKS, Judge.

Appellant was convicted of an aggravated assault, and his punishment assessed at a fine of $500.

Bill number 1 is substantially as follows: On direct examination the State asked the witness John W. Baker the following question: “Do you know whether or not he was a fugitive from justice from the time of the assault to murder of young Stripling until you brought him back from Kentucky, a year or two afterwards ?” to which question the witness answered: “I will first see if I understand exactly what you mean. If ‘fugitive from justice’ means out of the State, he was. I do not know that he was out of the State all of that time.” And the county attorney also asked the following question: “What were you doing towards trying to find out as to his whereabouts?” to which, question defendant objected, which objection was by the court sustained, whereupon the county attorney made the following remark: “We think the jury get the idea, and that is all we want them to get,” to which remark of the county attorney defendant excepted, whereupon the court asked the county attorney this question, “What idea?” and the county attorney replied, “The idea of his fleeing, your honor.” *250 The court then said, “The jury will not consider the last remarks and intimation of counsel in this matter.” To all of which questions and answers, and the ruling of the court therein, and the remarks of the county attorney, defendant excepted on the ground that the witness should state facts, and allow the jury to determine whether or not he was a fugitive from justice. We do not think these objections tenable, since the witness does not give an opinion, but states the fact that the party was out of the State. This proof is admissible on the ground that it goes to show the flight of appellant, which fact is permissible to be proved. Kirk v. State (Texas Crim. App.), 37 S. W. Rep., 443. As to the remarks of the county attorney above quoted, it will be seen that the court reprimanded him for same, and instructed the jury not to consider hi¿ remarks in any respect.

Appellant’s second bill complains that the county attorney asked Dr. N. A. C. Mackey this question: “State whether or not, in your opinion, based upon the nature and character of the wounds, the weapon used was such as was calculated to produce death.” Appellant objected because it was leading; that witness had already stated that he did not know the weapon us'ed, and the jury should themselves conclude whether or not the weapon was calculated to produce death, from the nature and condition of the wounds. The witness answers: “My opinion is that the weapon would have produced death if the force had been sufficient. My opinion is that it was a matter of force, more than the weapon.” We do not think any of the objections urged are tenable. The question is not leading. Nor are the two other grounds meritorious. The answer of the doctor, even if error, was harmless, in view of his answer as stated above. Furthermore, we have' heretofore held that a physician, being an expert, could give his opinion as to the effect and consequences of the wound inflicted. Waite v. State, 13 Texas Crim. App., 169; Banks v. State, Id., 182; Powell v. State, Id., 244.

Bill number 3 complains that the court permitted Dr. N. A. C. Mackey to testify that each side of the ear, the temple, and back of it, were places of tenderness, vital spots, and dangerous to receive a blow there. We think this was testimony' that the county attorney is authorized to elicit from an expert witness, and such the bill shows the doctor to be. See authorities supra.

Appellant, in his fourth bill, complains that the court permitted the State to ask Dr. N. A. C. Mackey, from his examination of the wounds, what his opinion was as to the character of the weapon used in inflicting the wounds. The witness answered: “My best judgment would be that it was some instrument that had the power to cut as well as to bruise. It might have been a piece of iron, a pistol, or knucks.” We think this testimony was admissible, coming as it did from an expert witness. ' , .

Bill number 5 complains of the following: Dr. N. A. C. Mackey, upon his examination on his voir dire, was asked the following ques *251 tion: “Have you been examined by the local board to practice medicine?” He replied: “Ho, sir; but I hold a diploma from a medical college in Tennessee.” Whereupon defendant’s counsel objected to the introduction of said witness on the ground that he was disqualified to testify as an expert, because he had not complied with the requirements of the statute, in that he had not been examined by the local board to practice medicine. The court overruled the objection. We do not think it is necessary for a physician to be examined by a medical board before he is qualified to testify as an expert. This is necessary in order to authorize him to practice medicine legally, but it has nothing to do with his qualification as an expert witness. Art. 3789, Rev. Civ. Stats.

Appellant’s bill number 6 complains of the following: .“The State’s witness Dugger was asked by the county attorney the following question: 'State the exact language (as near as you can remember) of the threat that was made against the Striplings by Sebastian.’ Defendant objected on the ground that the record shows there were other Striplings than the prosecuting witness, Pryor Stripling, and, in order for the testimony to be admissible, they should show by the witness that the threat was made against Pryor Stripling, which objection was overruled, and witness answered, 'Sebastian stated to me that he never had been so illy treated in' his life by any one up to that time as he had been by the Striplings, and that he would kill them, if it takes ten years, was the best of my recollection of what he said; and he said, “Revenge is sweet,” and, “Old man, I know you would do it. I know you well enough to know that.” ’ ” In Godwin v. State, 38 Texas Criminal Reports, 469, the court say: “It is always competent, as showing motive on the part of the defendant, to prove threats made by him against deceased; and the cases hold that, although the name of the deceased may not have been mentioned by defendant, yet, if it can be reasonably gathered that deceased was meant or alluded to, that threats to take his life or do him serious bodily injury are admissible.” In this case the injured party was named Pryor Stripling. Defendant makes a threat against “all the Striplings.” This certainly would include Pryor Stripling.

Bill of exceptions number 7 complains that, while the State witness Emmett Micks was being examined, by the county attorney, he asked him this question: “Tell the jury what else you heard him say;” to which question defendant objected on the ground that the witness had just stated he had detailed all of the conversation which he heard between Gates and defendant, whereupon the county attorney made the following remark: “It takes no wise man to see that this is an unwilling witness.” To this remark defendant excepted. There is no request on the part of appellant’s counsel asking the court to instruct the jury to disregard this statement of the county attorney. The party excepting to the misconduct of counsel must take a bill of exceptions, and also ask the court to instruct the jury to disregard *252 the same. This was not done. Wright v. State, 37 Texas Crim. Rep., 146; Matthews v. State (Texas Crim. App.), 38 S. W. Rep., 172; Morris v.

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Bluebook (online)
53 S.W. 875, 41 Tex. Crim. 248, 1899 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 180, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/sebastian-v-state-texcrimapp-1899.