Pierce v. State
Pierce v. State
Opinion of the Court
]?our distinct issues are fairly presented by the evidence, 1. An assault with intent to murder. 2. An aggravated assault. 3. A simple assault; and 4, self defense. The first issue was sufficiently and correctly submitted to the jury by the charge of the court.
As to the second issue, whilst the charge of the court in relation thereto is not literally correct, and is perhaps somewhat awkwardly expressed, still we think it is substantially correct, and there being no exceptions thereto, taken at the time of the trial, we are not called upon to revise immaterial errors therein.
As to the third issue, there was no charge whatever. There is evidence tending to show that defendant was striking, or attempting to strike, the injured party with a pistol, when the pistol was accidentally discharged, whereby the injury complained of was inflicted. If the pistol was used by the defendant to strike with only, the assault would not be aggravated, unless the evidence showed that when used in that manner it was a deadly weapon; or that, by means of such use serious bodily injury had been inflicted; or that the assault was committed with pre
We think the court should have submitted the issue of simple assault to the jury under the facts of this case, but this omission in the charge not having been excepted to, and no additional charge presenting the issue having been requested by the defendant, we would not for this error disturb the conviction, because it does not appear to us probable that the defendant was injured or prejudiced by the failure of the court to submit said issue.
As to the fourth issue, the court charged upon it, but not fully and accurately. The evidence demanded a charge upon the law of self defense as embraced in Articles 570 and 572 of the Penal Code; and in connection with Article 570, Article 571 should have been given in charge. (Kendall v. The State, 8 Texas Ct. App., 569; Foster v. The State, 11 Texas Ct. App., 105; Jones v. The State, 17 Texas Ct. App., 602; Stevenson v. The State, Id., 618; Risby v. The State, Id., 518.) Again, the court omitted to give in charge Article 573 of the Penal Code, which was a material error. (Bell v. The State, 17 Texas Ct. App., 550; Arto v. The State, 19 Texas Ct. App., 126.) Upon this issue of self defense we think the charge of the court is materially defective, and its
As to the right of the defendant to forcibly eject the injured party from the gambling room, we are of the opinion that he had no such right under the facts of this case, and cannot justify his assault upon that plea. The law knows no reasonable rules or regulations for the protection of a gambling room, and games played in violation of law.
In all other respects except those above metioned, we think the conviction is a legal one, but for the reason before named the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.
Reversed and remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Clem Pierce v. State
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- 4 cases
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- 1. Practice.—Charos of thb Court is not revisable for immaterial error unless the same was excepted to at the proper time. 2. Same—Simple Assault—Deadly Weapon.—Whether or not the weapon used in committing an assault is in fact a deadly one is a matter of proof, and depends in some cases upon its use or the manner of its use. If the weapon (a pistol in this ease) was used to strike with only, the assault would not be aggravated unless the evidence shows tnat when used in * that manner it was a deadly weapon; or that, by means of such use, serious bodily injury was inflicted; or that the assault was committed with premeditated design, and by the use of means calculated to inflict great bodily injury. The proof failing to establish the deadly character of the pistol when used as a weapon to strike with, the presumption obtains that it was not, as used, a deadly weapon; and the proof failing further to establish any of the other conditions enumerated, the issue of simple assault arises, and should have been submitted in charge to the jury. Failure to so charge, however, in the absence of exception or additional requested charge, is not ground for reversal. See the opinion in extenso on the question. 3. Same—Self Defense.—See the statement of the case for evidence held to demand of the trial court a charge upon the law of self defense as embraced in Article 570 in connection with Article 571, and Articles 572 and 573 of the Penal Code. Note the charges upon the subject of self defense given in this case and held so far deficient as to require a reversal of the conviction notwithstanding the same were not excepted to at the proper time. 4. Practice.—The law of the State recognizes no “ reasonable rules or regulations ” for the protection of a gambling house. Under the facts of this ease the assault cannot be justified upon the plea that the accused had the right to eject the injured party from the gambling room.