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100 Mo. 531

State v. Brent

Supreme Court of Missouri

Decided April 15, 1890

Supreme Court of Missouri · decided 1890-04-15

—Hon. W. I. Wallace, Judge. The court committed reversible error in compelling the defendant over his objection to answer the question, “Were you not convicted of a felony?” 1 Greenl. Ev., secs. 375, 377 and 457; State v. Rugan., 68 Mo. 214; R. S. 1879, sec. 1918 ; State v. McLaughlin, 76 Mo. 320; State v. McCraw, 74 Mo. 574; State v. Patterson, 88 Mo. 88; State v. Chamberlain, 89 Mo. 129.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently May 1907

1 state decisions

Relies on State v. Patterson · State v. Porter · State v. Burk

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Reversed and remanded · Decided 1890-04-15

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

Ray, C. J.

¶1The defendant was indicted in the circuit court of Hickory county for assault with intent to kill, and upon trial was convicted and fined one hundred dollars.

¶2The defendant was introduced at the trial, as a witness in his own behalf, and on cross-examination was compelled over his objection to answer the following question: “ Were you not convicted of a felony in this state?” The witness answered: “I was.” Under *533numerous decisions this is reversible error. State v. McGraw, 74 Mo. 573; State v. Rugan, 68 Mo. 214, and authority cited; 1 Greenl. Ev., secs. 377 and 457; State v. Turner, 76 Mo. 350; State v. McLaughlin, 76 Mo. 320; State v. Porter, 75 Mo. 171; State v. Douglass, 81 Mo. 231; State v. Lewis, 80 Mo. 110; State v. Patterson, 88 Mo. 88; State v. Chamberlain, 89 Mo. 133.

¶3As the case must go back, we may add, that a conviction for a common assault may be had under an indictment for assault with intent to kill, and such seems to have been the result in this case. R. S. 1879, sec. 1655; State v. Burk, 89 Mo. 635, and cases cited. And if, on re-trial, the evidence should so justify an instruction to that effect could properly be given.

¶4We deem it unnecessary to now notice other matters complained of. For the reasons above cited the judgment of the trial court is reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings, in conformity herewith.

All concur.
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