Way v. State

66 N.E.2d 608, 224 Ind. 280, 1946 Ind. LEXIS 118
CourtIndiana Supreme Court
DecidedMay 21, 1946
DocketNo. 28,160.
StatusPublished
Cited by16 cases

This text of 66 N.E.2d 608 (Way v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Indiana Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Way v. State, 66 N.E.2d 608, 224 Ind. 280, 1946 Ind. LEXIS 118 (Ind. 1946).

Opinion

Gilkison, J.

April 14, 1945, the appellant was charged with an assault and battery with intent to commit manslaughter. On April 23, 1945, he waived a formal arraignment and entered his plea of “not guilty,” and the cause was assigned for trial on May 24, 1945. Later on the same day the trial of the cause was continued until the next term of court, by agreement of the parties. On September 3, 1945, by agreement of the parties the cause was assigned for trial on October 1, 1945.

On October 1, 1945, Paul Haywood, an attorney for the defendant, filed his verified motion for a continuance of the trial, alleging among other things that on May 23, 1945, he inspected the records and files in the case in preparing for the trial. That he made another inspection on October 1, 1945, and discovered that the *283 affidavit had been changed by interlineation, since his former inspection. That because of such change he is unable to go to trial on said affidavit “as it now appears.” That ,such amendment was without the knowledge or consent of the appellant or any of his counsel.

Thereafter, on the same date the prosecuting attorney, asked leave to file an amended affidavit, which the court permitted, and then overruled appellant’s motion for continuance. Appellant then asked for time in which to plead to the amended affidavit to which the State objected. The court gave appellant until 1:30 P. M. of the same day, in which to enter his plea. A motion to quash the amended affidavit, was overruled. An oral motion by appellant for a continuance “to enable the defendant and his counsel to prepare for a defense of this cause of action . . . and that if the defendant is compelled to go to trial at this time his defense . . . will be prejudiced thereby” was overruled by the court.

Appellant was then tried by jury, resulting in a finding of guilty, fine of $200 and 90 days in the Daviess County Jail.

By motion for new trial and proper assignment of errors appellant presents the following alleged errors for our determination:

“(1) Overruling the motion to quash the amended affidavit.

“(2) Requiring appellant to answer certain questions on his cross-examination.

“(3) The form of the verdict.

“(4) Permitting the state to amend the affidavit after plea.

“(5) Denying a continuance when an amended affidavit was filed on the day of trial.”

*284 The amended affidavit is as. follows, omitting caption, signature and verification:

“W. L. Johnson, being duly sworn on his oath, states: that at and in the county of Daviess and state of Indiana on the 11th day of April, 1945, Earl Way did then and there, in a rude, insolent and angry manner unlawfully and feloniously, purposely without malice, expressed or implied, in a sudden heat, strike, beat, bruise, and break the bones of one Lois Butts with his fists and feet, with intent then and there and thereby her, the said Lois Butts unlawfully feloniously, purposely without malice, expressed or implied, in a sudden heat, to kill, contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the state of Indiana.”

Appellant contends that the court should have sustained the motion to quash the amended affidavit because it is uncertain ■ whether it charges, an intent to commit voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. We do not think it is vulnerable to this objection. While it does not charge that the acts were done “voluntarily” agreeable with the statute, § 10-3405, Burns’ 1942 Replacement, it does charge that they were done “purposely.” We think this is sufficient. The facts alleged are in no sense agreeable with the definition of involuntary manslaughter. They are agreeable with the definiton of voluntary manslaughter. The motion to quash was properly overruled.

Appellant complains that over his objection, he was required to answer on his cross-examination, that theretofore he had been convicted of “speeding” and also of “disorderly conduct.” It is a well recognized rule of law that any fact tending to impair the credibility of a party or witness by showing his interest, bias, ignorance, motives or that he is depraved .in character, may be shown on cross-examina *285 tion. The extent of such cross-examination is for the sound discretion of the trial court. While the evidence on this subject in this case may be slight in probative value, we can not say error was committed in admitting it. Smith v. State (1937), 212 Ind. 605, 610, 10 N. E. (2d) 899; Dotterer v. State (1909), 172 Ind. 357, 360, 362, 88 N. E. 689; Shears v. State (1896), 147 Ind. 51, 55, 46 N. E. 331; Vancleave v. State (1898), 150 Ind. 273, 275, 276, 49 N. E. 1060. For the same reason the motion to strike out this evidence was properly overruled.

The verdict is assailed as being contrary to law. It finds the defendant guilty of assault and battery, fixes his fine at $200, and that he be imprisoned in the county jail for 90 days. Appellant complains that the verdict does not designate the imprisonment as punishment as provided by statute, § 9-1819, Burns’ 1942 Replacement. We do not think it essential that the verdict should so designate the imprisonment. It is obvious that such im_prisonment is punishment, whether so designated or not. We think the form of the verdict is sufficient.

In the matter of amending an affidavit by which a defendant is attempted to be charged with a criminal offense, § 9-1124, Burns’ 1942 Replacement provides:

“The affidavit may be amended in matter of substance or form at any time before the defendant pleads. When the affidavit is amended, it shall be sworn to. No amendment of the affidavit shall cause any delay of the trial, unless for good cause shown.”

Under this statute our court has consistently approved the amendment of affidavits in substance or form, prior to plea. State v. Simpson (1906), 166 Ind. 211, 214, 76 N. E. 544, 76 N. E. 1005; Barrett v. *286 State (1911), 175 Ind. 112, 114, 93 N. E. 543; State v. Anderson (1912), 177 Ind. 437, 439, 98 N. E. 289; Malone v. State (1913), 179 Ind. 184, 186, 100 N. E. 567; Drury v. State (1945), 223 Ind. 140, 59 N. E. (2d) 116. However, we find no case in Indiana approving an amendment in substance after a plea has been entered.

It has been held that, if the record is silent as to plea, and the court allows an amended affidavit to be filed, it will be presumed in favor of 'the ruling, that no plea had been entered at the time the amended affidavit was filed. Malone v. State, supra; State v. Anderson, supra. The statute authorizing the amendment of the charge in substance or form at any time before the defendant pleads, naturally prohibits such amendment after the defendant pleads, agreeable with the doctrine

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Bluebook (online)
66 N.E.2d 608, 224 Ind. 280, 1946 Ind. LEXIS 118, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/way-v-state-ind-1946.