{ "id": 1488181, "name": "Cheney v. State", "name_abbreviation": "Cheney v. State", "decision_date": "1943-06-21", "docket_number": "4310", "first_page": "1049", "last_page": "1056", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "205 Ark. 1049" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "172 S.W.2d 427" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ark.", "id": 8808, "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 34, "name_long": "Arkansas", "name": "Ark." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "92 S. W. 2d 203", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "192 Ark. 435", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1415007 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/192/0435-01" ] }, { "cite": "89 S. W. 2d 610", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "191 Ark. 1107", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1418612 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/191/1107-01" ] }, { "cite": "140 S. W. 8", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "100 Ark. 301", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1312241 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/100/0301-01" ] }, { "cite": "135 S. W. 821", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "98 Ark. 139", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1315923 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/98/0139-01" ] }, { "cite": "129 S. W. 295", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "95 Ark. 239", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1543605 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/95/0239-01" ] }, { "cite": "233 S. W. 765", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "149 Ark. 642", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8722377 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/149/0642-01" ] }, { "cite": "272 S. W. 671", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "168 Ark. 1005", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8726399 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/168/1005-01" ] }, { "cite": "258 S. W. 386", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "162 Ark. 285", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1385607 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/162/0285-01" ] }, { "cite": "198 S. W. 113", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "130 Ark. 457", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8721530 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/130/0457-01" ] }, { "cite": "179 S. W. 346", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "120 Ark. 302", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1561092 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/120/0302-01" ] }, { "cite": "20 S. W. 2d 119", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "179 Ark. 1079", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8726688 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/179/1079-01" ] }, { "cite": "204 Ark. 376", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1444184 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/204/0376-01" ] }, { "cite": "173 S. W. 829", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "115 Ark. 566", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1533821 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/115/0566-01" ] }, { "cite": "154 S. W. 500", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "107 Ark. 87", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1343980 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/107/0087-01" ] }, { "cite": "138 S. W. 475", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "99 Ark. 407", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1314420 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/99/0407-01" ] }, { "cite": "131 S. W. 46", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "96 Ark. 52", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1541990 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/96/0052-01" ] }, { "cite": "174 S. W. 1179", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "117 Ark. 432", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1564921 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/117/0432-01" ] }, { "cite": "103 S. W. 2d 50", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "193 Ark. 765", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1411189 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/193/0765-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 711, "char_count": 12570, "ocr_confidence": 0.511, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.0965939902382524e-07, "percentile": 0.5670492758458119 }, "sha256": "aa8fbcf1fcf83da642a5a2b4d35a2d9201b4268bc34b5523d53ed84b4a0496d4", "simhash": "1:a3cc9233342cc7d1", "word_count": 2265 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:00:03.571044+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "Cheney v. State." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Hor/r, J.\nAppellant, Dock Cheney, ivas convicted of the crime of assault with intent to kill. Gabe Robinson was the victim of the assault. The jury assessed his punishment at 15 years in the state penitentiary, and from the judgment comes this appeal.\nFor reversal appellant urges (1) that the evidence was not sufficient to support the verdict, and the punishment assessed is excessive, (2) that the court erred in denying change of venue, and (3) that the cause should be reversed because one of the jurors was a nephew by marriage of the prosecuting witness, Gabe Robinson.\nThe record presents the following facts: Gabe Robinson, 56 years of age, had lived in Crittenden county approximately 36 years and owned and farmed 3,200 acres of land. On August 8,1942, Gabe Robinson went to the store of Joe Levitch in Crawfordsville to collect for some corn sold- to Levitch, and while leaning on the show case writing a check, the defendant, Cheney, without warning, came up behind Robinson and assaulted him. Robinson testified: \u201cHe grabbed me and beat me with what I was told was a bottle of beer. He hit me with a bottle first. When it hit me in the back of the head\u2014 it was right in back of my ear \u2014 it staggered me and I couldn\u2019t see anything. Then he grabbed me and hit me with his fist. He beat me and I thought I hollered for help. Tommy Jones.was standing there and said, \u2018Let him have it. \u2019 He told the people to stand back. I heard that, hut I didn\u2019t hear a word that Dock Cheney said. Then lie quit beating me. \u201d \u2022\nRobinson was unarmed at the time and was not acquainted with his assailant. He was so severely beaten that he stayed in the hospital six days, was confined to his home thereafter for approximately three weeks-and was advised by his doctor not to attempt to drive his car for six weeks. At the time of trial, he was still suffering pain in his head and testified \u201cwhen I stoop over I get blind. \u2019 \u2019\nAn eye-witness, Joe Levitch, testified, \u201cYes, be came from behind and bit Mr. Robinson in the bead and then be got a jar of peanut butter and hit him on the face. Mr. Robinson was bleeding all over. He took his bands and choked him down. I run outside for help. I didn\u2019t want him killed in my store. . . . Q. Did you see Tommie Jones? A. Yes, right behind them with his band in bis bosom. He said \u2018Everybody stay away. Let him have it Dock.\u2019 . . . Q. How did be come up to Mr. Robinson? A. From the back. Q. Did be give any warning as to what be was going to do? A. No, be didn\u2019t give any warning. When be bit him, the bottle busted in small pieces. . . . Q. What position Avas Mr. Robinson in when be hit him? A. He bad bis bead down writing the check. . . . Q. Where did be bit him? A. Right over bis ear. . . . Q. Was be wearing-glasses at th\u00e1t time? A. Yes, I picked up bis glasses. I found bis glasses and picked them up. . . . Q. What else did be bit him with? A. A peanut butter jar. . . . A. He bit him until be busted it all to pieces and he choked him then until bis tongue Avas banging out. When be Avas bitting him be said, \u2018Who is bitting me?\u2019 and be Avas begging for mercy. . \u25a0 . . A. I was coming around and Tommie Jones was bolding everybody back and be told me to stand back. He hollered, \u2018Put it to him, Dock, let him have it. \u2019 \u201d\nRoy Hampton testified that be beard the bursting of the beer bottle when it struck Mr. Robinson\u2019s bead; that it sounded like a pistol shot; that be Avas standing-near the door and be went in immediately. \u201cQ. Where was Dock Cheney \u2014 what part of Mr. Robinson\u2019s body was he beating on? A. He had him by the throat and was hitting him in the back of \u2022 the head. . . .- Q. What was the condition of Mr. Robinson\u2019s face and head? A. I saw it was bloody. I couldn\u2019t tell who it was.. His eyes looked like they were going to fall out. Q. What was Mr. Robinson saying? A. He said that they were killing him. . . . Q. When Tommie Jones said for you to get back what did you do? A. I made another step and he cussed me and said, \u2018God damn it, get out.\u2019 \u201d,\nAppellant was armed with a pistol.\nMike Levitch and James Black corroborated Mr. Robinson, Joe Levitch and Roy Hampton. Lonnie Anderson, witness for appellant, also corroborated these witnesses.\nThe appellant admitted the assault upon the prosecuting witness and gave as his reason that \u201cI was mad\u201d because Mr. Robinson had cursed in front of his wife. He denied that he intended to kill him. Robinson denied that he had cursed before appellant\u2019s wife.\nThere was other testimony of probative value which we do not deem it necessary to set out in detail here. It suffices to say that we have considered all the testimony and are of the opinion that the evidence, when given its strongest probative force in favor of the state, as we are required to do (Slinkard v. State, 193 Ark. 765, 103 S. W. 2d 50) is amply sufficient to warrant the jury\u2019s finding that appellant assaulted the prosecuting witness, Robinson, with the intent to kill him. The testimony was sufficient to show malice on the part of the appell\u00e1nt. Malice may be either express or implied. The court properly instructed the jury that before they could convict the defendant of assault with intent to kill it must appear from the testimony, that appellant would have been guilty of either murder in the first or second degree, had the victim of his assault died. In Allen v. State, 117 Ark. 432, 174 S. W. 1179, this court held (quoting headnote 2): \u201cIf an assault be committed with the specific intent to take life, and with a deadly weapon, under circumstances which show implied malice, it will be sufficient to constitute the crime of an assault with intent to kill, even though there be no express malice; there must be malice, either express or implied, but either is sufficient.\u201d\nAppellant\u2019s excuse for his assault upon Robinson that he \u2019 was \u2018 \u2018 mad \u2019 \u2019 because Robinson had cursed in front of his wife some days before, we think was not sufficient provocation, if death had resulted from the assault, to have reduced the grade of the offense from murder to manslaughter. Clardy v. State, 96 Ark. 52, 131 S. W. 46; Young v. State, 99 Ark. 407, 138 S. W. 475, and Jerrall v. State, 107 Ark. 87, 154 S. W. 500.\nOn the question of appellant\u2019s intent at the time of the assault, \u201cthe jury should take into consideration the manner of the assault, the nature of the weapon used, the manner in which it was used, the statements of defendant, and all other facts and circumstances tending to show the state of defendant\u2019s mind.\u201d Davis v. State, 115 Ark. 566, 173 S. W. 829.\nIn fixing the punishment for the crime of assault with intent to kill, our lawmakers, in \u00a7 2961, Pope\u2019s Digest, have very wisely given to the jury much' latitude. It is provided in that section that the punishment may be fixed at \u201cimprisonment in the penitentiary not less than one nor more than 21 years,\u201d the evident purpose being that the punishment in each case should be fixed in accordance with the facts.\nWe find nothing in this record to show that the jury abused the discretion accorded it in fixing the punishment under this section of the statute, and we think no error is shown in this regard.\nWe cannot agree with appellant\u2019s contention that the court erred in denying change of venue. Appellant\u2019s petition for change of venue was supported by the affidavits of two witnesses, J. T. C'ockrill and E. E. Smith. On February 22, 1943, the trial court heard the cause upon appellant\u2019s petition, the affidavits and oral testimony of Cockrill and Smith, and denied the petition.\nProm tire testimony of the affiants it appears that there are twelve townships in Crittenden county. The effect of Mr. Cockrill\u2019s testimony may he summed up in his own words as follows: \u201cQ. You say that out of the four townships you mentioned that a jury of twelve men couldn\u2019t be gotten that would give these men a fair and impartial trial ? A. That\u2019s what I believe. Q. You don\u2019t know about the other eight townships? A. No.\u201d We quote from the testimony of Mr. Smith: \u201cQ. You confine your activities politically in the township of Crawfordsville \u2014 you were a candidate yourself for constable? A. That\u2019s right. Q. Are you confining your testimony to the voters in Crawfordsville township. A. Mostly. Q. You don\u2019t know the feeling generally of the people over the rest of the county? A: Just by hearsay.\u201d\nWe think the testimony of these two witnesses, upon which appellant relies for change of venue, falls far short of the requirements of our statutes (\u00a7\u00a7 3917 and 3918, Pope\u2019s Digest). The sections, supra, contemplate that before an affiant can qualify under the statute he must have personal knowledge of the prejudice existing against the defendant throughout the entire county, and not just portions thereof. Knowledge by hearsay is not sufficient. In one of the most recent cases on this ques-' fion, Bailey v. State, 204 Ark. 376, 163 S. W. 2d 141, we said: \u201cThis court recently said: \u2018This court has ruled that, in order for an affiant to qualify as a credible person under the statute, he must be cognizant of the prejudice existing throughout the whole county, and not merely in portions thereof.\u2019 Hedden v. State, 179 Ark. 1079, 20 S. W. 2d 119. The following cases are cited in support of the above rule: Dewein v. State, 120 Ark. 302, 179 S. W. 346; Speer v. State, 130 Ark. 457, 198 S. W. 113; Williams v. State, 162 Ark. 285, 258 S. W. 386; Mills v. State, 168 Ark. 1005, 272 S. W. 671. See, also, Avey v. State, 149 Ark. 642, 233 S. W. 765. \u2018The statute contemplates that the subscribing witnesses-shall have fairly accurate information concerning, the state of mind of the inhabitants of the entire county toward'the defendant.\u2019 Speer v. State, supra. This case also holds that it has been uniformly lield that'unless the trial court has-.abused its discretion in overruling-\u2018a motion for change. of venue, the order is conclusive on appeal. To support this rule, the following cases are cited: Bryant v. State, 95 Ark. 239, 129 S. W. 295; Ford v. State, 98 Ark. 139, 135 S. W. 821; McElroy v. State, 100 Ark. 301, 140 S. W. 8. See, also, Dame v. State, 191 Ark. 1107, 89 S. W. 2d 610.\u201d\nWe conclude, therefore, that the court did not err in denying change of venue.\nFinally, it is argued that the cause should be reversed because a nephew by marriage of the prosecuting witness, Robinson, was one of the jurors, and this was the sixth ground in appellant\u2019s motion for a new trial.\nThe record reflects that appellant was tried and convicted on February 22, 1943. The motion for new trial was filed February 24, following, and overruled.by the court on the same day. We find nothing in the record to indicate that appellant offered any proof, at the hearing February 24, in support of his allegation in his motion for a new trial that one of the jurors was a nephew, by marriage, of the prosecuting witness. On March 26, 1943, it appears that appellant filed two affidavits in support of his contention. It thus appears that these two affidavits were filed more than a month after appellant\u2019s motion for a new trial had been overruled. There is nothing in the record that indicates that these affidavits were ever called to the attention of the trial court, that the court ever ruled on them, that any proof in support of these affidavits was ever presented to the court, or that the court was in session at the place of trial, at the time these affidavits were filed.\nThe motion for a new trial was overruled February 24, 1943, appellant granted an appeal to this court, bond allowed, and fifty-five days allowed to prepare and file bill of exceptions on that same day. It further appears that appellant\u2019s bond for appeal was approved and filed March 9,1943, or prior to the filing of the two affidavits, supra, on March 26, 1943. In this state of the -record we are clearly of the opinion that the court did not err in denying motion for'new trial, which had been overruled more than a month before the affidavits were filed.\nThe proceeding here was in the nature of a motion for a new trial for newly-discovered evidence. The trial court has a wide discretion in passing on motions for a new trial in such matters, and we cannot say that such discretion was abused in overruling the motion in the instant case. Thornsberry v. State, 192 Ark. 435, 92 S. W. 2d 203.\nNo error appearing, the judgment is affirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "Hor/r, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Wils Davis, for appellant.", "Guy E. Williams, Attorney General, and Earl.N. Williams, Assistant Attorney General, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "Cheney v. State.\n4310\n172 S. W. 2d 427\nOpinion delivered June 21, 1943.\nWils Davis, for appellant.\nGuy E. Williams, Attorney General, and Earl.N. Williams, Assistant Attorney General, for appellee." }, "file_name": "1049-01", "first_page_order": 1069, "last_page_order": 1076 }