{
  "id": 11269991,
  "name": "STATE v. GILBERT P. MELTON",
  "name_abbreviation": "State v. Melton",
  "decision_date": "1914-04-29",
  "docket_number": "",
  "first_page": "442",
  "last_page": "443",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "166 N.C. 442"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "N.C.",
    "id": 9292,
    "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 5,
    "name_long": "North Carolina",
    "name": "N.C."
  },
  "cites_to": [
    {
      "cite": "158 N. C., 599",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        8656071
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc/158/0599-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "121 N. C., 582",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "opinion_index": 0
    }
  ],
  "analysis": {
    "cardinality": 294,
    "char_count": 4085,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.462,
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    "sha256": "53af0a382f8bf991c2edacda8bf8776737b598736d37704ffcfb55e05fd187e4",
    "simhash": "1:202dee6abb763483",
    "word_count": 701
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:23:48.430184+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "STATE v. GILBERT P. MELTON."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Per CuRiam.\nTbe defendant was indicted for tbe murder of Alexander Sutton, a colored boy 17 years old, and was convicted of manslaughter. All tbe evidence in tbis case tends to prove tbat tbe defendant killed tbe deceased by firing upon bim witb a pistol four or five times in succession, claiming tbat be acted in self-defense, and tbat tbe deceased was advancing on bim witb a knife.\nThere are only three assignments of error taken to tbe evidence, and none to tbe charge, which is not sent up witb the record.\nTbe first assignment of error is taken to tbe exclusion of certain alleged uncommunicated threats against tbe defendant, made by tbe deceased about ten minutes before tbe homicide.\nIt is -unnecessary to consider tbis assignment of error, as it is perfectly apparent from a perusal of all tlie evidence (and we understood it to be admitted upon th\u00e9 argument) that the only possible theory upon which the jury could have convicted the defendant of manslaughter was upon that of excessive force, and that the killing of the deceased under all the circumstances by shooting four bullets into his body was unnecessary. That being so, the evidence, if erroneous, was harmless.\nThe second assignment of error is to the ruling sustaining an objection by the State to the question, \u201cDid you hear Mr. J. Flem Johnson tell that boy if he did not behave himself he would get killed, and stop being impudent to white people?\u201d\nThe opinion of J. Flem Johnson and his prognostication as to what would happen to the boy is utterly incompetent and irrelevant to the issue tried in this case.\nThe third assignment of error is taken to the exclusion of the question, referring to the deceased, \u201cWhat did you see him do tending to show his reputation for being a dangerous man?\u201d\nThis witness had testified that he was not acquainted with the deceased, and in answer to a question, \u201cKnow his reputation for being anything dangerous?\u201d had said, \u201cNo, sir; just what I saw the boy do.\u201d\nIn S. v. Hairston, 121 N. C., 582, the Court said: \u201cA party introducing a witness as to character can only prove the general character of the person asked about. The witness on his own . motion may say in what respect it is good or bad.\u201d\nIn no ease, either on direct examination or on cross-examination, can a witness be asked to testify to particular acts. The limit of such evidence is testifying as to particular traits of character. The question here objected to seems to have been directed to an attempt to bring out testimony of some particular act of the deceased, which is not permissible. See, also; S. v. Wilson, 158 N. C., 599.\nUpon a careful examination of this record, we find no just ground to award another trial.\nThe defendant is evidently indebted to the mercy of the jury, as well as to the leniency of the judge, that he has not received a severer sentence.\nNo error.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Per CuRiam."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Attorney-General Biclcett and Assistant Attorney-General Calvert for the State.",
      "Osborne, Coche & Robinson, Mangum & Woltz for defendant."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "STATE v. GILBERT P. MELTON.\n(Filed 29 April, 1914.)\n1. Homicide \u2014 Self-defense\u2014Uncommunicated Threats.\nWhere upon a trial for homicide the killing with a deadly weapon is shown while the deceased was advancing upon the prisoner, and self-defense is relied upon, and it appearing that a verdict of manslaughter was rendered, evidently upon the idea that the' prisoner used excessive force, the exclusion of evidence of uneommunieated threats is immaterial.\n2. Homicide \u2014 Trials\u2014Character Witnesses \u2014 Specific Acts.\nUpon the trial of a white man for the homicide of a negro boy, it is incompetent to ask a witness in the prisoner\u2019s behalf whether some third person had not told the deceased that he would eventually be killed for his impudence to white people; and it is also incompetent for the prisoner, in endeavoring to show the character of the deceased, to ask the witness in regard to special acts.\nAppeal by defendant from Adams, J., at January Term, 1913, of GrASTON.\nIndictment for murder. Tbe defendant was convicted of manslaughter, and from tbe judgment of tbe court appeals.\nAttorney-General Biclcett and Assistant Attorney-General Calvert for the State.\nOsborne, Coche & Robinson, Mangum & Woltz for defendant."
  },
  "file_name": "0442-01",
  "first_page_order": 484,
  "last_page_order": 485
}