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14 Tex. Ct. App. 205

Wilson v. State

Court of Appeals of Texas

Decided May 12, 1883

Court of Appeals of Texas · decided 1883-05-12

Tried below before C- H. Jenkins, Special Judge. The indictment charged the appellant with the theft of money of the value of twenty-nine dollars and forty-four cents, the property of L. A. Bryan, in Brown county, Texas, on the fifth day of June, 1883. He was convicted and awarded a term of two years in the penitentiary as punishment.

Decided 1883-05-12

Willson, Judge.

¶1It appears from the record that this case was tried before a special judge, but it does not appear in what manner such judge was selected, nor that he was sworn as such judge as required by law. These facts must be shown by the record before this court can sanction the conviction. (McMurry v. The State, 9 Texas Ct. App., 207; Perry v. The State, decided cided at present term, ante, page 166.)

¶2In reversing and remanding this case we deem it proper to-say that in our opinion the evidence requires a charge upon the law with reference to the defendant’s claim that he came into possession of the alleged stolen property by finding it. It was-in proof that defendant, in explanation of his possession of the property, said that he had found it. This evidence was for the consideration of the jury under proper instructions from the court, but such instructions were not contained in the otherwise admirable' charge of the learned judge. For the rules of law applicable to the case of property found, reference may be had to Reed v. The State, 8 Texas Court of Appeals, 40, where the subject is fully discussed.

¶3Reversed and remanded.

¶4Opinion delivered May 12, 1883.

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