Shields v. State

Mississippi Supreme Court
Shields v. State, 87 Miss. 429 (Miss. 1905)
39 So. 1010
Llarper

Shields v. State

Opinion of the Court

LLarper, Special J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

There was but one question in this case for the jury to determine, and that was, Who was the aggressor ? On this point the direct testimony was conflicting, and it was necessary to con*432sider the extrinsic circumstances that tended in any way to shed light on this question. The purpose and intent of Smith, the prosecutor, in seeking out the defendant, therefore, became important, and it was proper for the court below to permit the state to show that Smith had been acting as deputy sheriff under color of authority at least; that he had made out the affidavit against defendant for carrying a concealed weapon; that a warrant had been issued for defendant’s arrest, and that Smith had been appointed a special constable to serve the same. Whether his appointment was regular or not would seem to be unimportant in this case.

For the same reason, and n.ot because it was part-of the res gestae, all the evidence of Firs. FlcCaleb, offered by defendant, should have been admitted. It tended to show in some measure that Wilbur Smith went to the scene for the purpose of killing defendant, and that he expected and prepared for an affray by having both his brothers on hand, armed and ready for action.

For this error of the court in excluding the greater part of Mrs. McGaleVs testimony, this cause is reversed and remanded.

Reference

Full Case Name
York Shields v. State of Mississippi
Status
Published
Syllabus
Criminal Law. Assault with intent to MU. Evidence. In a prosecution for an assault with intent to kill and murder, where the evidence was conflicting on the question as to who was the aggressor, testimony was admissible to show: (а) That prosecutor had been acting as a deputy sheriff, had made out an affidavit against defendant, charging a misdemeanor, on which a warrant was issued for defendant’s arrest, and that he had been appointed a special constable to serve it, because it tended to show the purpose and intent of the prosecutor in seeking defendant; and (б) That prosecutor, immediately after the assault, stated that he was sorry he did not kill defendant and that he went to the place of conflict for that purpose, because it tended to show the. intent of the prosecutor in seeking out the defendant at the time of the conflict.