Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

14 Tex. Ct. App. 326

Hammel v. State

Court of Appeals of Texas

Decided June 2, 1883

Court of Appeals of Texas · decided 1883-06-02

Tried below before the Hon. B. W. Rimes. The indictment charged the appellant with the theft of thirty-four dollars from the person of W. W. Glover, in the county of Falls, on the eighth day of March, 1883. The penalty imposed by a verdict of guilty was a term of two years in the penitentiary. Jay Gammel, city marshal of Marlin, was the first witness for the State.

Decided 1883-06-02

White, Presiding Judge.

¶1It was no valid objection to the indictment that it alleged conjunctively that the property was taken without the knowledge and consent of the owner, instead of charging disjunctively that the taking was, in statutory language, “without the knowledge or consent.” Such mode of allegation is ordinarily the better practice. (1 Bish. Crim Prac., 15 ed., secs. 585, 586, 587.) The court did not err in overruling defendant’s motion to quash.

¶2We are of opinion that the court did err, however, in permiting the witness Gammel to testify, over objections of defendant, what the deceased party, Glover, told him, witness, about the loss of his money. This evidence was hearsay, and the fact that Glover was dead did not render it admissible or legal.

¶3We are further of opinion that, besides this erroneous ruling •of the court, the other evidence, as shown in the statement of *330facts, is not sufficient to support the conviction; and. the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.

¶4Reversed and remanded'.

¶5Opinion delivered June 2, 1883

/14/texctapp/326 · .json · Public domain