People v. Gilman
People v. Gilman
Opinion of the Court
Defendant was convicted of abortion and from the judgment and order denying her motion for a new trial the appeal has been taken. Some claim has been made that the evidence is insufficient to support the verdict, and the appellant indulges in a criticism of the testimony of certain witnesses of the prosecution, claiming that in certain respects it is inconsistent and unsatisfactory.
Viewing the whole record in the light of the strong and conclusive evidence of guilt, it could fairly be said that none of the assignments of error could have resulted in a miscarriage of justice, and, hence, we would be justified in brushing them aside as not warranting specific consideration. We have, however, examined them with some degree of care and are prepared to say that no substantial error was committed by the trial court. The defendant seems to have been granted every right to which she was entitled under the law. The trial judge conducted the proceedings cautiously, impartially, and justly. The instructions thoroughly and correctly presented the law of the case and left nothing unsaid that was necessary for the guidance of the jury in their determination of the guilt or innocence of the defendant. It is true that certain instructions, proposed by her, were refused, but as far as correct in doctrine and applicable to the facts of the case, they were entirely covered by instructions which were- given.
As to the rulings upon the admissibility of evidence they are so palpably and clearly sound that we are hardly called upon to specifically notice them. However, we may refer to one or two of these assignments of error. Objection was made, for instance, to this question addressed to Mrs. Johnson: “Q. Was there anything said subsequent to, after what you saw, between you and the nurse, this defendant, Gilman, as to what you saw and what transpired?” The answer of the witness was: “I spoke afterward, that I thought Mrs. England was quite lucky to be living.”
*454 Another ruling of which complaint is made was in sustaining an objection to the following question, asked of the prosecutrix on her cross-examination: “Q. Now, did she at any time when you were leaving, tell you she [the defendant] would help you to obtain employment elsewhere ? ’ ’ This manifestly called for a “self-serving” declaration on the part of defendant and was clearly inadmissible. Besides, it was clearly a matter of no importance in the consideration of the merits of the case. It may be suggested that a similar ruling was made by the court in reference to questions propounded to the defendant by her counsel as to her physical condition and medical treatment, that she was receiving, at the time of the trial. It is clear enough that such matters had no bearing whatever upon the charge against the defendant. If there had been any attempt to show or suggestion that her physical condition, at the time of the commission of the alleged offense, was such as to make it impossible or even difficult for her to have committed it, then, of course, a different question might be presented. We may also refer briefly to the action of the court in sustaining an objection to the question asked of a certain witness as to whether Police Officer Hanney had tried to intimidate her by threatening to prosecute her for perjury. The only purpose of the question could be to discredit the testimony of said officer by showing an unfair anxiety to convict the defendant. However, as to this, in fairness to him, before the effort was made to impeach him his attention should have been called to the circumstance in order that he might have an opportunity to acquit himself of any just censure, or, at least, to explain what occurred. Moreover, the consideration is not of sufficient importance to justify a reversal of the cause.
The only ruling during the trial that is worthy of serious consideration relates to the admissibility in evidence of certain ashes containing, according to the testimony of Dr. Nahl, the fragments of human bones and also certain surgical instruments that were found in the washstand in the bedroom where the crime was committed. As to the first, however, there was strong circumstantial evidence that said ashes were the product of a fire made by the defendant to destroy the foetus, in accordance with her statement made to Mrs. Johnson. At least, the showing was sufficient to justify its consideration by the jury.
Before concluding, we may state that the case of People v. Josselyn, 39 Cal. 393, involves a very different state of facts from the case before us. Therein there was no corroboration of the testimony of the prosecutrix and it is only instructive in the present instance in its discussion in the supplemental opinion of the court as to the character of the corroboration that is required to justify a conviction. Herein, as we have before seen, there was ample corroboration not only by the testimony of a disinterested witness, but also by an array of circumstantial evidence that is quite significant and potential.
We deem it unnecessary to notice further the various contentions of appellant, as after careful examination of the whole record we are entirely satisfied that the defendant Was justly convicted and that there is no substantial merit *456 in any of the points made for a reversal. The judgment and order are, therefore, affirmed.
Ellison, P. J., pro tem., and Hart, J., concurred.
A petition to have the cause heard in the supreme court, after judgment in the district court of appeal, was denied hy the supreme court on December 4, 1919.
All the Justices concurred except Melvin, J., who was absent.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The PEOPLE, Respondent, v. MAY GILMAN, Appellant
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Published