Watson v. United States
Watson v. United States
Opinion of the Court
In substance, the Government presented testimony at trial that on August 16, 1968, about 11:05 P. M., two police officers in a scout car on a parking lot in the 1300 block of Savannah Street, S. E. saw an automobile start to enter the lot, back out at a high rate of speed and pull to the curb in front of 1357 Savannah Street. Because of prior information received, the officers immediately pulled out of the lot and parked behind the car. Both officers testified that they saw appellant, the operator of the car and the only occupant of the front seat, slide across the seat, pull a dark object from either his trousers or his coat, open the door on the passenger side and drop the object to the ground. Upon investigation, by shining a flashlight on the ground, they saw a .22 caliber sawed-off rifle lying in the street slightly under the edge of the car. Defense testimony tended to contradict this evidence, particularly with respect to the number of persons and the seating arrangement in the car.
Appellant was arrested for and subsequently convicted of carrying a dangerous weapon in violation of D.C.Code 1967, § 22-3204. On appeal he contends there was insufficient evidence to establish guilt and that the court erroneously ruled that the Government could impeach him by use of his prior record.
As to appellant’s first contention on appeal, we think it clear that the evidence posed a question of guilt or innocence for determination by a jury.
As to the Luck
Affirmed.
. Curley v. United States, 81 U.S.App. D.C. 389, 160 F.2d 229, cert. denied, 331 U.S. 837, 67 S.Ct. 1511, 91 L.Ed. 1850 (1947).
. Crawford v. United States, 126 U.S.App.D.C. 156, 375 F.2d 332 (1967).
. Luck v. United States, 121 U.S.App.D.C. 151, 348 F.2d 763 (1965).
. Evans v. United States, 130 U.S.App.D.C. 114, 397 F.2d 675 (1968), cert. denied, 394 U.S. 907, 89 S.Ct. 1016, 22 L.Ed.2d 218 (1969).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Raymond WATSON, Jr. v. UNITED STATES
- Status
- Published