State v. Stevens

70 A. 1060, 81 Vt. 454, 1908 Vt. LEXIS 161

• Court: Supreme Court of Vermont
• Decided: October 24, 1908
• Status: Published

Opinion

Munson, J.

The statement made in argument by the State’s Attorney, and excepted to by respondent’s counsel, had reference to what appeared from the testimony, and not to anything outside the case. If the statement was erroneous no harm can have come from it, for the taking of the exception must have advised the jury that its accuracy was questioned, and the court’s remark to them on allowing the exception was a plain direction not to rely upon it. This was in effect leaving a disputed matter to the recollection of the jury, if not again brought to their attention. If considered important, respondent’s counsel could have had the minutes of testimony examined, and any error corrected at the close of the argument.

The respondent moved in arrest on the ground of duplicity. The claimed duplicity lies in charging in a single count the commission of the same offence upon several animals. Some things done to two or more are properly alleged as constituting but one offence; for instance, assaulting two persons at the same time; Com. v. O’Brien, 107 Mass. 208; administering poison to several persons by the same act; Ben v. State, 22 Ala. 9; overloading two horses harnessed to the same load; Bish. Dir. & Forms §§347, 348; Bish. St. Cr. §1121. But it is not necessary to inquire whether the matter charged here is one that may be thus alleged. If the information is insufficient in this respect, the objection comes too late; for duplicity cannot be taken advantage of by motion in arrest. 1 Bish. New Cr. Pro. §§442, 443; State v. Johnson, 3 Hill (S. C.) 1; People v. Garnett, 29 Cal. 622; Kilburn v. State, 9 Conn. 560.

Exceptions overruled and execution of sentence ordered.