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3 Haw. 166

The King v. Apuna

Hawaii Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1869

Hawaii Supreme Court · decided 1869-10-15

Complaint for selling opium without license. Tbe defendant appealed to the Circuit Court of the Fourth Circuit, from the judgment of the District Magistrate. Two witnesses, Pahiha and- Keliipakaua, testified for the prosecution that they saw the prisoner, at his own house, turn some opium from a large box into a smaller one, which he gave to one Asii ; that they saw Asii then pay the prisoner $2 ; and that they arrested Asii after he left the house.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently October 1979

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1869-10-15

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Hartwell, J.

¶1The defendant’s motion for a new* trial; ¿s already decided by this Court in the King vs. Cornwell, was not properly before the Circuit Court. The refusal of the Court to give the instruction prayed for, could not have injured the defendant, the weight of the evidence and credibility of the witnesses being left to the jury alone. There is no ground in this case to set aside the verdict as without evidence. The question of setting aside verdict on conflicting evidence is so clearly settled, that it is unnecessary to comment upon it. The prior admission of the witness Asii, and the evidence of the policeman were sufficient, if believed, to sustain th'e verdict.

¶2In regard to the introduction of the written statement and of evidence thereto, after the witness had testified, with corroborating evidence, that he knew nothing about the paper and that it was obtained from him by violence or *170misunderstanding, it is enough to say that such evidence is always admissible for the purpose of discrediting a witness. The witness’ attention should first be called, as was done here, to the contradictory written or oral statement alleged. The fact that this written paper was sworn to, and only signed by the witness does not affect the general rule, admitting evidence of previous contradictory statement, in matters pertinent to the issue. It was in the discretion of the Court to approve or not, the security offered for a bond conditioned to pay the fine and costs. What that security was, does not appear, and therefore we cannot regard the refusal to approve the bond as an abuse of discretion. The fine of three hundred dollars imposed is within the limits prescribed by law and is not to be set aside as excessive. Exceptions overruled.

Honolulu, October 27th, 1869.
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