Coon v. State
Coon v. State
Opinion
The defendant was indicted and convicted for receiving stolen property in the second degree. Sentence was six years' imprisonment. Three issues are presented on appeal.
Objection was only made when the State attempted to pursue this line of questioning in greater detail. After argument outside the jury's presence, the trial judge sustained defense counsel's objection but denied the motion to exclude because it was untimely. This was proper as a motion to exclude will not preserve error in the admission of evidence where no timely objection has been made at the time of its admission. Snider v.State,
Even if this issue were properly preserved for review, the evidence of the other truck was clearly admissible to show the defendant's intent, guilty knowledge, and plan, design, scheme or system. C. Gamble, McElroy's Alabama Evidence, Section 69.01 (3rd ed. 1977).
It appears the first set of incriminating statements by the defendant were given in response to the investigatory type questions of a police officer who was attempting to determine if a crime had been committed. Kelley v. State,
The second set of inculpatory statements were introduced by the State in its case in rebuttal of the defendant's testimony. Although a proper Miranda predicate was not established (because the officer never testified to the specific rights and warnings given the defendant, Robinson v. State,
Under these circumstances, counsel's failure to object does not amount to incompetence. His cross examination was thorough and shows preparation. Unfortunately for counsel and his client, the State simply had a very strong case. The defendant had been "caught with the goods" and the State had the evidence to prove it. In reviewing the competency of trial counsel, the existence of substantial incriminating evidence against the accused may constitute a substantial consideration. Annot. 2 A.L.R.4th 27, Section 11a (1980). Counsel should not be placed in a legal "straight jacket" by being required to make every possible objection. This would turn the criminal justice system into a "game" played according to rigid rules in which the guilt or innocence of the accused would become only a tangential issue with the main focus on the "rules of the game." Commonwealth v. Irby,
The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
AFFIRMED.
All Judges concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Gerald Calvin Coon v. State.
- Cited By
- 6 cases
- Status
- Published