Miller v. State

1. Criminal Law Sll(l), 814(1) — Instructions — Inapplicable Proposition of Law —Singling Out Phase of Evidence. Charges stating no proposition of law bearing on the case, and singling out a single phase of the evidence for the jury’s consideration, were properly refused. [Ed. Note — Eor other cases, see Criminal Law, Cent. Big. §§ 1969,1971,1972,1979, 1980, 1986.]

Appeal from Circuit Court, Eranklin County; C. P. Almon, Judge. Payette Miller was convicted of the offense of using abusive language, and he appeals. The court in its oral charge said: There are two clauses under this indictment drawn under the statute; the first is for the protection of the home and the occupants thereof, and the second is for the protection of woman. The court then made the following remarks to the jury: I did not undertake to say to you that this defendant was guilty either under the first or second clause of this indictment. If a man goes sufficiently near to the dwelling house of another, and in the presence or or within the hearing of the family, makes use of abusive, insulting, or obscene language, then he would be guilty under the first clause of the indictment, and if he makes use of abusive, insulting, or obscene language in the presence or hearing of a woman, then he would be guilty under the second clause of the indictment, but the court does not undertake to say that this defendant is guilty under either the first or the second clause, since that is a question which you must decide from the evidence. After reading the third charge given for defendant, the court said: Gentlemen, it is necessary for all 12 of your number to agree on a verdict of guilty, or a verdict of-not guilty. After reading the fourth charge given for defendant, the court said: You are authorized to either acquit or convict. If you aré not authorized to acquit him, the court would have given, you instructions to convict him. The following charges were refused to defendant : I charge you that you must believe beyond a reasonable doubt, and to a moral certainty, that Fayette Miller passed Mr. Lindley’s in company with Millege Brewer and Frank Straworidge, and no one else, before you can find Fayette Miller. (C) If you are reasonably satisfied from all the evidence in the case that Payette Miller passed Lindley’s house in company with Griffith, Holland, Brewer, and Prank Holland', you may find defendant not guilty.