Smith v. State

Court of Civil Appeals of Texas
Smith v. State, 24 Tex. Ct. App. 1 (1887)
5 S.W. 510; 1887 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 152
Willson

Smith v. State

Opinion of the Court

Willson, Judge.

It is alleged in the indictment that the defendants “did unlawfully make and publish an indecent and obscene written composition, manifestly designed to corrupt the morals of youth,” and the written composition is then set forth in Iicbc verba. We think the indictment is sufficient, and that the exceptions thereto were properly overruled. It was unnecessary to allege the manner or means of making and publishing the composition, or the circumstances attending the making and publishing thereof. It was set forth in the indictment by its tenor, and it was thus made certain what composition it was that the defendants were charged with making and publishing. How .and where it was made and published were matters of proof and not of pleading. (The State v. Hanson, 23 Texas, 232.)

Exceptions were taken by defendants to the charge of the court, which are earnestly insisted upon in this court. Considering the charge as a whole, we are of the opinion that it is correct and sufficient. The composition being a written one, it was the province of the court to construe it and determine whether or not it was indecent and obscene. In construing it to be indecent and obscene, and in so instructing the jury, we think there was no error. The question as to whether or not it was manifestly designed by the defendants, in making and publishing said composition, to corrupt the morals of youth, was fairly and fully submitted to the jury. We do not agree to the proposition contended for by counsel for defendants, that the words, “manifestly designed to corrupt the morals of youth,” mean that the composition upon its face, and of itself, must manifestly be of a kind to produce that effect. We construe these words to refer to the intention— the purpose—of the defendants in making and publishing the composition. It must have been manifestly designed, that is, intended and purposed by them to corrupt the morals of youth, by making and publishing such composition. This was the view entertained by the trial judge, and fully explained to the jury in his charge.

We think the verdict of the jury is in accordance with the charge and the law, and is sustained by the evidence, and that there is no error in the conviction. The judgment is affirmed.

Affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
William Smith and Lee Coker v. State
Cited By
4 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
1. Indecent Publication—The Indictment, setting out in hose verba the obscene and indecent composition, charged that the appellants “did unlawfully make and publish an indecent and obscene written composition, manifestly designed to corrupt the morals of youth.” Meld, that the indictment is sufficient; and that, the composition being set out in hceo verba, it was unnecessary that the indictment should allege the manner and means of the making of the same, or the circumstances attending the publication thereof. How and where the composition was made and published were matters of proof, and not pleading. % Construction of Written Instruments—Charge of the Court.— The duty of determining whether or not a written composition is indecent and obscene devolves upon the court and not upon the jury. The composition in this case, as set out in the indictment, ; vd as adduced in evidence, consisted of the words, “Ass hole work.” M~ d, that, in construing such composition to be obscene and indecent, and in so instructing the jury, the trial court did not err. 3. Same—Statute Construed.—The terms “manifestly designed to corrupt the morals of youth,” as used in the statute (Penal Code, art. 343), refer to the intention obtaining in the making and publication of the composition; i. e., that the design and purpose of the party making and publishing the composition was to corrupt the morals of youth. The said terms can not be construed to mean that the composition, upon its face, and of itself, must manifestly be of a kind to corrupt the morals of youth. The charge of the trial court, conforming to this construction, was correct. 4. Indecent Publication—Fact Case.—See the statement of the ease for evidence held sufficient to support a conviction for indecent publication.