Porter v. Commonwealth
Porter v. Commonwealth
Opinion of the Court
Opinion op the Court bt
Reversing.
Aubrey Porter and Millard Giasby were tried and convicted in the Martin circuit court, the punishment of each being fixed at a fine of $200.00 and sixty days in jail. Porter appeals.
The indictment charges them with having in possession a moonshine or illicit still and of operating a moonshine or illicit still for the manufacture of spirituous or intoxicating liquor, and a description of the offense is in similar language. A demurrer to the indictment was filed and the Commonwealth’s attorney elected to prosecute the defendants for operating a moonshine still, whereupon the demurrer was overruled and exceptions taken. This appears to be error. Collins v. Com., 195 Ky. 745; Spriggs v. Com., 200 Ky. 559; Stinnett v. Com., 200 Ky. 297.
We can see nothing in John Porter’s evidence to connect Aubrey Porter with the commission of the offense. Spence is clearly an accomplice, and as his evidence is not corroborated in this essential it would appear that even if the indictment was not defective the evidence was insufficient to authorize a conviction.
Therefore, judgment is reversed and cause remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.