People v. Cintrón
People v. Cintrón
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The appellant was convicted of a violation of § 137 of the Penal Code in that he delayed and obstructed the marshal of a municipal court when he sought to serve a summons on a defendant. He contends that the lower court erred in considering the evidence sufficient to establish the offense. The prosecuting attorney of this court agrees that the error charged was committed.
The evidence shows that the marshal went to defendant’s establishment and inquired as to the whereabouts of a woman. The defendant, who knew the marshal as such, answered that the woman was not in his establish
Although the evidence shows that the marshal sought the woman to summon .her for trial, it does not show that he had so informed the defendant or that the defendant knew it. Section 137 of the Penal Code prohibits only the wilful obstruction of an officer in his attempt to execute any duty of his office. In order that the wilfulness to obstruct should exist the defendant must know, not only the official capacity of the officer, but also that he is acting in that capacity. McLendon v. State, 12 Ga. App. 691, 78 S. E. 139. See People v. Santiago, 35 P.R.R. 701.
Since it was not proved that the defendant wilfully obstructed the marshal in the execution of his duty, the judgment appealed from should be reversed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.