Jenkins v. State

Texas Supreme Court
Jenkins v. State, 30 Tex. 444 (Tex. 1867)
Caldwell

Jenkins v. State

Opinion of the Court

Caldwell, J.

We see no error in the record. The indictment is unobjectionable, and charges the offense in the language of the statute. The application for a continuance states, that “he (defendant) can prove by three women that he won the coat he is charged with stealing *446from another freedman, on the day and about an hour before he was arrested;” and that the names and residence of witnesses are unknown.

This does not comply with the statute, (Paschal’s Dig., Art. 2987,) and is addressed to the discretion of the court. An application for a first continuance, in the terms of the law, relieves the court of its discretion, and the continuance is granted as of course. Dot so when the application is based upon causes not contemplated in the statute. Then the discretion of the court is invoked in view of all the facts.

After trial and conviction, with a full knowledge of all the evidence, the court is better prepared to judge of the relevancy of the cause set up for a continuance, and, if satisfied that injustice has been done, upon motion, a new trial ought to be awarded. (Cooper v. State, 19 Tex., 459.)

The evidence fully sustained the verdict. The defendant was found in possession of the property within three hours after it was stolen. This is prima fade, evidence of guilt; and, unless there is some proof to rebut this presumption, the jury were warranted in so finding.

There being no error, the judgment of the court below is

Affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
George Jenkins v. State
Cited By
3 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
While the application for continuance stated that the defendant could prove by three women that he won the coat which he is charged with stealing from another freedman on the day, &e., (see statement,) the showing is not a compliance with the code. (Paschal’s Dig., Art. 2987.) On the first application, if the statute be complied with, a continuance is granted, of course. When not in accordance with the statute, it is addressed to the sound discretion of the court. Where the property was stolen, and the party was found in possession of it three hours afterwards, he is, prima fade, guilty, and unless there be proof to rebut this presumption, the verdict will not be disturbed.