Sewell v. Commonwealth

11 Ky. Op. 213, 3 Ky. L. Rptr. 86, 1881 Ky. LEXIS 241

• Court: Court of Appeals of Kentucky
• Decided: June 25, 1881
• Status: Published

Opinion

Opinion by

Judge Hines:

It was error to admit evidence of what occurred in the house between Miss Davis and appellant prior to the shooting of Dunbar. Dunbar was not present, took no part in it, and had ho connection with the difficulty in the house, and, so far as is shown by the record, he had no knowledge of it. The transaction in the house in which Miss Davis was abused by appellant was not a part of the transaction in which Dunbar was killed, and in no way illustrates it. 1 Wharton on Evidence (10th Ed.), § 266. Highly v. Commonwealth, 8 Ky. Opin. 579.

As to the limitation of the argument of counsel, it is sufficient to say that the lower court has a large discretion in such cases, and this court will not reverse, except for a gross abuse of that discretion, of which we see no evidence in this case.

But for the error indicated as to the admission of evidence the judgment is reversed and cause remanded with directions for a new trial.