{ "id": 8612738, "name": "STATE v. LOY SIGMON", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Sigmon", "decision_date": "1925-12-16", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "684", "last_page": "692", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "190 N.C. 684" } ], "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": "40 Sup. Ct., 141", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "S. Ct.", "case_ids": [ 3680863 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/251/0264-01" ] }, { "cite": "251 U. S., 210", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 3681098 ], "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "219" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/251/0210-01" ] }, { "cite": "281 Fed., 511", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 5724564 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/281/0511-01" ] }, { "cite": "286 Fed., 963", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 4196 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/286/0963-01" ] }, { "cite": "284 Fed., 416", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 3598667 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/284/0416-01" ] }, { "cite": "268 Fed., 408", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6737256 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/268/0408-01" ] }, { "cite": "182 N. C., 788", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658826 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/182/0788-01" ] }, { "cite": "139 N. C., 273", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652440 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/139/0273-01" ] }, { "cite": "81 N. C., 245", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8688248 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/81/0245-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 N. C., 567", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "189 N. C., 348", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "10 A. L. R., 510", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "year": 1925, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "252 U. S., 465", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 551425 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/252/0465-01" ] }, { "cite": "262 U. S., 100", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6137670 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/262/0100-01" ] }, { "cite": "188 N. C., 705", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "33 Fed., 471", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 3760308 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/33/0471-01" ] }, { "cite": "161 N. C., 287", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "132 N. C., 1137", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "61 N. C., 473", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2090147 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/61/0473-01" ] }, { "cite": "61 N. C., 146", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2090162 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/61/0146-01" ] }, { "cite": "188 N. C., 528", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "51 N. C., 367", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11277693 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/51/0367-01" ] }, { "cite": "126 N. C., 997", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8663535 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/126/0997-01" ] }, { "cite": "116 N. C., 976", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655948 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/116/0976-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 N. C., 818", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11272543 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/171/0818-01" ] }, { "cite": "176 N. C., 755", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658371 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/176/0755-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1025, "char_count": 23881, "ocr_confidence": 0.452, "pagerank": { "raw": 6.977286155519984e-07, "percentile": 0.9655750200108192 }, "sha256": "471b22e84add5c44280413d64e962517a7aeaeb9612da5b1542d224ec70e079a", "simhash": "1:952527e8de386a23", "word_count": 4261 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:38:29.672014+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "STATE v. LOY SIGMON." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "ClarKsoN, J.\nC. S., 4643, in part, is as follows: \u201cWhen on the trial of any criminal action in the Superior Court, or in any criminal court, the State has produced its evidence and rested its case, the defendant may move to dismiss the action or for judgment of nonsuit. If the motion is allowed, judgment shall be entered accordingly; and such judgment shall have the force and effect of a verdict of \u2018not guilty\u2019 as to such defendant. If the motion is refused, the defendant may except; and if the defendant introduces no evidence, the case shall be submitted to the jury as in other cases, and the defendant shall have the benefit of his exception on appeal to the Supreme Court.\u201d Mason Act.\nDefendant introduced no evidence. \u201cThe motion we are now considering was made under C. S., 4643, a statute which serves, and was intended to serve, the same purpose in criminal prosecutions as is accomplished by C. S., 567, in civil actions.\u201d S. v. Fulcher, 184 N. C., p. 665.\nIn S. v. Rountree, 181 N. C., p. 537, it was said: \u201cConsidering the testimony in its most favorable light to the State, the accepted position on a motion of this kind, we think his Honor properly submitted the case to the jury. S. v. Oakley, 176 N. C., 755; S. v. Carlson, 171 N. C., 818. The court\u2019s inquiry upon such a motion is directed to the sufficiency of the evidence to support or warrant a verdict. (S. v. Hart, 116 N. C., 976), and not to its weight or to the credibility of the witnesses. S. v. Utley, 126 N. C., 997.\u201d\nIn S. v. Patmore, 189 N. C., p. 541, it is held: \u201cIn S. v. Starling, 51 N. C., 367, Pearson, C. J., approves the charge of Shepherd, J., in the court below: ^Reasonable doubt, in the humanity of our law, is exercised for a prisoner\u2019s sake, that he may be acquitted if his case will allow it. It is never applied for his condemnation.\u2019 Speas v. Bank, 188 N. C., 528. In the interest of humanity, except in certain cases changed by statute, the accused is entitled to an instruction that the prosecution must prove the charge against him beyond a reasonable doubt. In material or civil matters, ordinarily tbe rule is different\u2014 by preponderance or greater weight of the evidence.\u201d\nIn S. v. Schoolfield, 184 N. C., p. 723, reasonable doubt is defined: \u201cA reasonable doubt is not a vain, imaginary, or fanciful doubt, but it is a sane, rational doubt. When it is said that the jury must be satisfied of the defendant\u2019s guilt beyond a \u2018reasonable doubt,\u2019 it is meant that they must be \u2018fully satisfied\u2019 (S. v. Sears, 61 N. C., 146), or \u2018entirely convinced\u2019 (S. v. Parker, 61 N. C., 473), or \u2018satisfied to a moral certainty\u2019 (S. v. Wilcox, 132 N. C., 1137), of the truth of the charge. S. v. Charles, 161 N. C., 287. If after considering, comparing, and weighing all the evidence the minds of the jurors are left in such condition that they cannot say they have an abiding faith, to a moral certainty, in the defendant\u2019s guilt, then they have a reasonable doubt; otherwise not. Commonwealth v. Webster, 5 Cushing (Mass.), 295; 52 Am. Dec., p. 730; 12 Cyc., 625; 16 C. J., 988; 4 Words and Phrases, 155.\u201d\nIn S. v. Steele, ante, 506, it is said: \u201cWe suggest, in addition to the definitions heretofore approved, for its practical terms, the following: \u2018A reasonable doubt, as that term is employed in the administration of criminal law, is an honest, substantial misgiving, generated by th\u00e9 insufficiency of the proof; an insufficiency which fails to convince your judgment and conscience, and satisfy your reason as to the guilt of the accused.\u2019 It is not \u2018a doubt suggested by the ingenuity of counsel, or by your own ingenuity, not legitimately warranted by the testimony,' or one born of a merciful inclination or disposition to permit the defendant to escape the penalty of the law, or one prompted by sympathy for him or those connected with him.\u2019 Jackson, J., in U. S. v. Harper, 33 Fed., 471.\u201d\nThe charge of the court below is not in the record. \u201cIn Indemnity Co. v. Tanning Co., 187 N. C., p. 196, it was said: \u2018The presumption of law from the record is that the court below charged the law* correctly bearing on the evidence as testified to by the witness at the trial.\u2019 \u201d In re Westfeldt, 188 N. C., 705.\nFrom the record it is presumed that the court below charged fully as to reasonable doubt, and gave defendant the full benefit of the definition as to what was the law in regard to reasonable doubt.\nIn S. v. McAllister, 187 N. C., p. 404, we quoted from Cunard S. S. Co. v. Mellon, 262 U. S., 100, opinion by Mr. Justice Van Devanter, who said: \u201cSome of the contentions ascribe a technical meaning to the words \u2018transportation\u2019 and \u2018importation.\u2019 We think they are to be taken in their ordinary sense, for it better comports with the object to be attained. In that sense transportation comprehends any real carrying about or from one place to another. It is not essential that the carrying be for hire, or by one for another, nor that it be incidental to a transfer of the possession or title. If one carries in bis own conveyance, for his own purposes, it is transportation, no less than when a public carrier, at the instance of a consignor, carries and delivers to a consignee for a stipulated charge. See U. S. v. Simpson, 252 U. S., 465; 40 Sup. Ct., 364; 64 L. Ed., 665; 10 A. L. R., 510. \u2018Importation, in a like sense, consists in bringing an article into a country from the outside. If there be an actual bringing in, it is importation, regardless of the mode in which it is effected. Entry through a custom house is not of the essence of the act.\u2019\u201d McFadden on Prohibition (1925) sec. 282; Blackmore on Prohibition (1923), sec. 9. Possession may be actual or constructive. See S. v. Myers, ante, 239.\nIt is presumed that the court below charged fully as to what constituted \u201ctransporting intoxicating liquors.\u201d\nIn the present case the evidence of transportation was circumstantial.\nMr. Justice H. G. Connor, in a carefully written opinion in S. v. Wilcox, 132 N. C., 1137, approved the charge of Hon. W. B. Oouncill, judge presiding, as follows: \u201c \u2018Circumstantial evidence is a recognized instrumentality of the law in the ascertainment of truth, and, when properly understood and applied, highly satisfactory in matters of gravest moment. Where such evidence is relied upon to convict it should be clear, convincing and conclusive in its connections and combinations, excluding all rational doubt as to the prisoner\u2019s guilt. . . . When such evidence is relied on for conviction every material and necessary circumstance must be established beyond a reasonable doubt, and the entire circumstances so established must be so strong as to exclude every reasonable supposition but that of guilt.\u2019 \u201d S. v. West, 152 N. C., p. 832.\nThe charge in S. v. Wilcox, supra, was approved, in S. v. Stewart, 189 N. C., 348.\nFrom the record, it is presumed that the court below charged fully as to circumstantial evidence and gave defendant full benefit of the definition as to what was the law in regard to circumstantial evidence.\nOn the motion of defendant to nonsuit, the evidence is to be taken in the light most favorable to the State, and it is entitled to the benefit of every reasonable intendment upon the evidence and every reasonable inference to be drawn therefrom. S. v. Sinodis, 189 N. C., 567.\nCounsel for defendant, in his able argument and brief, quotes- from S. v. Vinson, 63 N. C., p. 338, and like cases: \u201cWe may say with certainty, that evidence which merely shows it possible for the fact in issue to be as alleged, or which raises a mere conjecture that it was so, is an insufficient foundation for a verdict, and should not be left to the jury.\u201d Brown v. Kinsey, 81 N. C., 245; Byrd v. Express Co., 139 N. C., 273; S. v. Prince, 182 N. C., 788. We think this is the correct law of this jurisdiction.\nDefendant further says: \u201cIt is respectfully contended that there was no testimony submitted by the State on which any reasonable idea may be founded that this odor, if coming from any whiskey or other substance above enumerated, or that any substance theretofore, contained as much as one-half of one per centum by volume, and it will be noted that there was no effort on the part of the State to prove that fact.\u201d\nThe witness Ourlee, testified: \u201cWe raised the cooter shell or back of the Ford, and it smelled like whiskey had been in there, that is there was an odor like whiskey, but there was no whiskey in it at all.\u201d\n\u201cKnowledge for search without a warrant may arise from the sense of smell. U. S. v. Borkowski, 268 Fed., 408; McBride v. U. S., 284 Fed., 416; U. S. v. Kaplan, 286 Fed., 963. . . . Sight is but one of the senses and an officer may be so trained that the sense of smell is as unerring as the sense of sight. U. S. v. Borkowski, supra.\u201d\n\u201cThis absolute personal knowledge can be acquired through the sense of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or touching.\u201d S. v. Godette, 188 N. C., p. 503.\nAlbert v. U. S. (C. C. A., 6th Cir., 1922), 281 Fed., 511, says, in part: \u201cWhiskey is a well-known, distilled, spirituous, and intoxicating liquor. It is matter of common knowledge, of which we may properly take judicial cognizance, that whiskey, properly so-called, contains many times one-half of 1 per cent of alcohol. Eecognition that distilled spirits are always intoxicating is found in U. S. v. Standard Brewery, 251 U. S., 210, 219, 40 Sup. Ct., 139, 64 L. Ed., 229; and, see Ruppert v. Caffey, 251 U. S., at page 298, 40 Sup. Ct., 141, 64 L. Ed., 260. It was clearly competent for witnesses familiar with liquor to testify, from the appearance, its smell, its taste, and its effect, that it was whiskey, and the fact that it was bought and sold, as such is evidence in the same direction.\u201d\nC. S., vol. Ill, 3411 (a) and (b), (Public Laws 1923, chap. 1, known as the Turlington or Conformity Act) is, in many respects, the same as \u201cThe Yolstead Act,\u201d although more stringent. Both acts make it unlawful to \u201ctransport\u201d or \u201cpossess\u201d liquor. The act defines \u201cThe word 'liquor\u2019 or the phrase 'intoxicating liquors\u2019 shall be construed to include 'alcohol, brandy, whiskey, rum, gin, beer, ale, porter and wine, and in addition thereto any spirituous, vinous, malt or fermented liquors, liquids, and compounds, whether medicated, proprietary, patented, or not, and by whatever name called, containing one-half of one per centum or more of alcohol by volume, which are fit for use for beverage, purposes,\u201d etc.\nDefendant contends that as he was only found guilty of \u201ctransporting liquors,\u201d on the fourth count, the third count was for \u201cpossession,\u201d and the findings of guilty of transporting automatically rendered a verdict of not guilty on the other counts in the bill and the one for \u201cpossession.\u201d This is true. The defendant further contends, as we construe it, that a party could not be guilty of transporting unless likewise guilty of possession. The offenses are designated in the statute separately, and while the jury-would have been fully justified in finding the defendant guilty on both counts, under the evidence in this case, their f\u00e1ilure to do so, does not, as a matter of law, vitiate the verdict on the count for transporting. It goes without saying that the jury would have to find, from the circumstantial evidence, that defendant had in his possession liquors that he was transporting before they could convict him.\nWe think the facts were more than a scintilla and sufficient to be submitted to the jury; the probative force was for them. The facts succinctly: The chief of police of Newton with the jailer went to the west edge of Newton, on a sand-clay road leading into Newton from St. Paul\u2019s Church, and left this road and took a road that leads to Albert Little\u2019s place \u2014 about 9 o\u2019clock at night. Just off the sand-clay road that leads to Little\u2019s place, they found defendant\u2019s car, a Ford roadster, parked in the road. The back of the car was towards the sand-clay road. Defendant was not there, but his cap was hanging on the tail or rear light of the car. The lights were on, the front lights shining up the road towards Little\u2019s house. By the side of the car were three one-gallon jugs, empty, no odor about them. Near the jugs was a funnel that smelled like it had had whiskey run through it. The car was searched and there was nothing in it. \u201cWe raised the cooter shell or back of the Ford, and it smelled like whiskey had been in there, that is there was an odor like whiskey, but there was no whiskey in it at all.\u201d In a few minutes defendant called to us to turn on our lights so he could get out. He came up and was arrested. Just as the officers went up they heard some one run down through the field. The officers brought defendant to town. He gave bond and they, in a short while, went back, to search for whiskey, they found no cans or anything. While there they heard a car that was not defendant\u2019s go up the sand-clay road towards the church, stop* turn around and go back towards Newton.\nThe evidence clearly indicates and sufficient for the jury to believe beyond a reasonable doubt, that defendant had been transporting liquors in the back of the Ford roadster. While the officers opened it up \u201cit smelled like whiskey had been in there.\u201d Near the car were 3 empty one-gallon jugs to be filled up-, nothing had been in them. The funnel near the jugs smelled like it had had whiskey run through it. No doubt it had been used before and was ready to be used to fill the jugs. Defendant had parked his machine, he left it so no one would easily see him from the sand-clay road. The rear was to the sand-clay road and his cap concealed the rear light. His front lights shone up the road towards Little\u2019s bouse, so be could see where to go. He bad evidently left tbe car to go- after another supply. Some one ran through tbe field as tbe officers went to where tbe car was parked \u2014 no doubt bis confederates. Tbe officers arrested defendant and brought him to Newton and went back, found no cans or anything. While there a car other than defendant\u2019s went up the sand-clay road towards the church, stopped, turned around and went back towards Newton. From the facts and circumstances, there was sufficient evidence fof the jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that not only defendant was \u201ctransporting liquors,\u201d but he had confederates and had been getting the liquor and had sold out and gone back to them to get another load. He had all the implements of a blind-tiger transporting liquor. The officers caught him before he had gotten his new supply. A grand jury of at least twelve men found a true bill against him on. the evidence \u2014 a petty jury of 12 found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge before whom he was tried thought there was sufficient evidence to go to the jury. At least 24 jurors; \u2014 \u2019\u201csuch persons as have paid all the taxes assessed against them for the preceding year and are of good moral character and of sufficient intelligence\u201d \u2014 and a judge have carefully considered the evidence. We think the facts sufficient to have been submitted to the jury \u2014 the probative force was for them.\nThe Legislature of North Carolina, part C. S. (vol. Ill), 3411 (b), has said: \u201cAnd all the provisions of this article shall be liberally construed to the end that the use of intoxicating liquor as a beverage may be prevented.\u201d This provision is the wisdom of ages. Solomon, the wisest man (Prov., chap..23, v. 29, 32) said: \u201cWho hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; ... At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.\u201d\nShakespeare, has said: \u201cOh God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains.\u201d We find\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "ClarKsoN, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Attorney-General Brummitt and Assistant Attorney-General Nash for the State.", "Wilson Warticle for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE v. LOY SIGMON.\n(Filed 16 December, 1925.)\n1. Evidence \u2014 Statutes\u2014Nonsuit\u2014Motions.\nUnder the provisions of O. S., 4643, the defendant in a criminal action may have the case dismissed upon the insufficiency of the evidence, as in- a civil action, O. S., 567, upon motion at the close of the State\u2019s evidence, or upon the whole evidence.\n2. Same \u2014 Criminal Law \u2014 Burden of Proof.\nA motion to dismiss or as of nonsuit upon the evidence in a criminal case, will be denied if suffieieht, considered in the light most favorable to the State, to prove guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.\na. Same \u2014 Reasonable Doubt.\nThe requirement that the evidence must be sufficient to convict beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal actions, is for the benefit of the defendant; and it requires the State to satisfy a fury to a moral certainty of the truth of the charge.\n4. Appeal and Error \u2014 Criminal Law \u2014 Instructions \u2014 Presumptions\u2014 Record \u2014 Reasonable Doubt.\nWhere the defendant has. excepted to the trial in a criminal action upon the evidence tending to show his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the evidence thereon is sufficient, it will be presumed on appeal to the Supreme Court that the trial judge fully instructed the jury as to what constituted reasonable doubt as a matter of law, when the charge is not set out in the record.\n5. Intoxicating Liquor \u2014 Spirituous Liquor \u2014 Statutes \u2014 Transporting\u2014 Possession.\nUpon the trial for transporting intoxicating liquors in violation of our statute, the purpose of the possession of the intoxicants, or that they were for the purpose of profit, are immaterial, and the fact that the person accused is carrying them- from one place to another is sufficient.\n6. Intoxicating Liquor \u2014 Spirituous Liquor \u2014 Statutes \u2014 Transportation\u2014 Evidence \u2014 Questions for Jury.\nEvidence tending to show that the defendant endeavored to conceal his car along a county highway at night, concealed himself from the officers of the law to whom he soon surrendered, when they were yet at the place; that his car contained no intoxicants, but when the back of the car was opened it smelt of whiskey; that several large bottles with a funnel that smelt of whiskey were found at the place; that another car passed down the road and stopped, and that while the officers were taking the defendant to jail the bottles and funnel had been taken away, is sufficient for conviction of unlawful transportation of spirituous liquor under the provisions of our statute. A' load had been transported and the car was stopped with the implements ready to be reloaded.\n7. Same \u2014 Possession.\nWhere the evidence is sufficient to convict the defendant of transporting whiskey under our statute, C. S., vol. Ill, 3411 (a) and (b), the transportation of spirituous liquor includes the possession.\n8. Same \u2014 Issues\u2014Consistent Verdict.\nWhere an indictment for violating our prohibition law contains a count as to the unlawful possession and also unlawfully transporting spirituous liquor, an acquittal upon the first is not inconsistent with a conviction on the second issue. They are two distinct offenses under the statute.\n9. Evidence \u2014 Intoxicating Liquor \u2014 Spirituous Liquor \u2014 Smell.\nEvidence by the smell in the rear of the car with other circumstances that an automobile had contained whiskey, having jugs, funnel, \u25a0 etc., as in this case: Hel\u00e9, sufficient to sustain a verdict of unlawfully transporting intoxicating liquor.\n10. Same \u2014 Statutes\u2014Per Cent of Alcohol.\nWhere the evidence is sufficient to convict the defendant of unlawfully transporting whiskey, it is presumed that when whiskey is spoken of that it contained more alcohol than one half of one per centum, prohibited by the statute.\nAppeal from Shaw, J., and a jury, July Term, 1925, Catawba Superior Court; No error.\nTbe defendant was tried on \u201ca true bill\u201d found by the grand jury, which was sent them by the solicitor of the district, Hon. E. L. Huffman, containing 8 counts. The only count that need be considered is the 4th, as follows: \u201cThe jurors of the State, upon their oath, do present, that Loy Sigmon, late of the county aforesaid, on the 12th day of June, 1925, with forc\u00e9 and arms, at, and in the county aforesaid, unlawfully and wilfully did transport intoxicating liquors, against the form of the statute in such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the State.\u201d\nThe State offered the following evidence:\nTom Gabriel, testified: \u201cI am chief of the police of the town of Newton; on Friday night, 12 June, in company with Hr. Curlee, jailer, we went over in tbe west edge of town, near Albert Little\u2019s place on tbe sand-clay road leading into Newton from Saint Paul\u2019s Oburcb, and just off tbe sand-clay road on a road tbat leads into Little\u2019s bouse, we found tbe car belonging to tbis defendant; I know him, bis name is Loy Sigmon; bis car was just off tbe main sand-clay road; by tbe side of car were three jugs, gallon jugs, all empty and with no odor about them at all; near tbe jugs was a funnel tbat smelled like it bad bad whiskey run through it; tbe cap of tbe defendant was banging on tbe tail light of ear; defendant was not there. Lights were on car; tbe.rear of car bad nothing in it; it was a Ford roadster, though there was a smell like whiskey in tbe rear of car; there was nothing else in car; after we bad been there for few moments, defendant called to us to turn on lights and be would come out; tbis we did, and be came to car; we arrested him and took him to town; be gave bond and in a few minutes we went back to place and searched for whiskey; we found none; shortly after we got there, car passed and stopped up tbe road toward the church, and then car went on. There was no actual whiskey found in car, nor was there any, just tbe odors tbat I have told you about. Car tbat stopped up tbe road turned up there somewhere and then went toward Newton. It was not Sigmon\u2019s car tbat went up tbe road.\u201d\n\"W. C. Curlee, testified: \u201cI am jailer for Catawba County, live in Newton; on tbe night Mr. Gabriel testified about, be and I went out from Newton on tbe Saint Paul road and just off tbe road on road leading into home of Albert .Little, a negro, we saw Ford roadster parked, with lights burning, it was about 9 o\u2019clock in tbe nighttime; there was a cap banging over tbe rear light on bracket tbat light is fastened to, front lights shining up tbe road toward Little\u2019s bouse; there was three empty jugs sitting in tbe road off from tbe car; there was nothing in tbe jugs and nothing bad been in them so far as any smell was concerned, no liquor; there was a funnel lying near tbe jugs tbat smelled like it bad bad whiskey run through it; we searched tbe car, but there was nothing in it at all; we raised tbe cooter shell or back of tbe Ford, and it smelled like whiskey bad been in there, tbat is, there was an odor like whiskey, but there was no whiskey in it at all; tbis cooter shell is in back of car and over tbe exhaust of motor and drive shaft. It was a wooden floor with open joints tbat you can see through; we' found no whiskey; in few moments the defendant, I know him, his name is Loy Sigmon, called to us to turn on our lights so that he could get.out, and we did and he came up to where we were; we arrested him and brought him to town. Just as we went up and while there I heard someone run down through the field; after we brought Sigmon to town and he gave bond we went back to search for whiskey, but we found nothing, no cans or anything. While there, we heard car go up sand-clay road towards the church; stop and turn around and go back to town. That is all I know. It was not the Sigmon car, no, sir.\u201d\nThe defendant introduced no evidence, and, at the close of the State\u2019s evidence, moved for judgment as of nonsuit.\nThe jury rendered a verdict of \u201cguilty of transporting intoxicating liquors.\u201d Judgment was rendered, exceptions and assignments of error were duly made by defendant, and appeal taken to the Supreme Court.\nAttorney-General Brummitt and Assistant Attorney-General Nash for the State.\nWilson Warticle for defendant." }, "file_name": "0684-01", "first_page_order": 788, "last_page_order": 796 }