{ "id": 8625612, "name": "STATE v. GORDON WATKINS", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Watkins", "decision_date": "1931-04-29", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "692", "last_page": "701", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "200 N.C. 692" } ], "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": "30 N. C., 407", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8693817 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/30/0407-01" ] }, { "cite": "7 S. E., 902", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "101 N. C., 713", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8651556 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/101/0713-01" ] }, { "cite": "10 S. E., 463", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "104 N. C., 786", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652369 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/104/0786-01" ] }, { "cite": "199 N. C., 778", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8615756 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/199/0778-01" ] }, { "cite": "87 S. E., 416", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "170 N. C., 764", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8662763 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/170/0764-01" ] }, { "cite": "91 N. C., 621", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "20 S. E., 712", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "115 N. C., 789", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653113 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/115/0789-01" ] }, { "cite": "51 S. E., 801", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "139 N. C., 537", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653049 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/139/0537-01" ] }, { "cite": "51 N. C., 505", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11278475 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/51/0505-01" ] }, { "cite": "28 N. C., 165", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "121 S. E., 181", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "187 N. C., 469", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8654088 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/187/0469-01" ] }, { "cite": "108 S. E., 301", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "182 N. C., 30", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655105 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/182/0030-01" ] }, { "cite": "199 N. C., 278", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8599333 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/199/0278-01" ] }, { "cite": "120 N. C., 603", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659905 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/120/0603-01" ] }, { "cite": "199 N. C., 778", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8615756 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/199/0778-01" ] }, { "cite": "115 N. C., 789", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653113 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/115/0789-01" ] }, { "cite": "139 N. C., 537", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653049 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/139/0537-01" ] }, { "cite": "65 N. J. L., 598", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J.L.", "case_ids": [ 614888 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/njl/65/0598-01" ] }, { "cite": "94 S. E., 682", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "175 N. C., 761", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8662459 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/175/0761-01" ] }, { "cite": "106 S. E., 669", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "181 N. C., 535", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8657421 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/181/0535-01" ] }, { "cite": "101 S. E., 440", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "85 W. Va., 293", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "W. Va.", "case_ids": [ 8633742 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/w-va/85/0293-01" ] }, { "cite": "47 N. C., 67", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "67 S. E., 60", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "152 N. C., 770", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11273067 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/152/0770-01" ] }, { "cite": "117 S. E., 500", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "185 N. C., 743", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8657980 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/185/0743-01" ] }, { "cite": "92 N. C., 810", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11275316 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/92/0810-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 S. E., 888", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "164 N. C., 432", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "60 Miss., 268", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Miss.", "case_ids": [ 8838419 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/miss/60/0268-01" ] }, { "cite": "134 S. E., 458", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "192 N. C., 225", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8620699 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/192/0225-01" ] }, { "cite": "38 S. E., 473", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "128 N. C., 584", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8661502 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/128/0584-01" ] }, { "cite": "45 S. E., 957", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "133 N. C., 725", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659464 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/133/0725-01" ] }, { "cite": "72 S. E., 853", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "157 N. C., 578", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659190 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/157/0578-01" ] }, { "cite": "116 S. E., 736", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "185 N. C., 685", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8657547 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/185/0685-01" ] }, { "cite": "118 S. E., 6", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "185 N. C., 760", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658095 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/185/0760-01" ] }, { "cite": "52 Mich., 24", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mich.", "case_ids": [ 1439350 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/mich/52/0024-01" ] }, { "cite": "55 S. E., 342", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "142 N. C., 621", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652663 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/142/0621-01" ] }, { "cite": "23 S. E., 337", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "117 N. C., 834", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8654160 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/117/0834-01" ] }, { "cite": "18 S. E. 319", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "113 N. C., 673", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653841 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/nc/113/0673-01" ] }, { "cite": "21 L. R. A. (N. S.), 1", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L.R.A.N.S.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "43 S. E., 32", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "116 Ga., 607", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga.", "case_ids": [ 417241, 417258 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/ga/116/0607-02", "/ga/116/0607-01" ] }, { "cite": "43 L. R. A. (N. S.), 813", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L.R.A.N.S.", "opinion_index": 2 }, { "cite": "23 Idaho, 257", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Idaho", "case_ids": [ 2310388 ], "opinion_index": 2, "case_paths": [ "/idaho/23/0257-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1187, "char_count": 27821, "ocr_confidence": 0.476, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.4129934388021e-07, "percentile": 0.944582676441754 }, "sha256": "280235bf4586e7e3e1ab91518fdd5aae52e82404f6f8d82a4e23a42857b89704", "simhash": "1:520eca586c3e70e1", "word_count": 5081 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:40:42.579520+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "STATE v. GORDON WATKINS." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Stacy, C. J.\nTbe question of assault with a deadly weapon was not tbe principal matter debated on the bearing, but rather tbe charge of manslaughter, tbe main contention of tbe State being tbat Bellamy\u2019s death resulted from criminal neglect on tbe part of tbe defendants.\nTbe only evidence to support tbe verdict \u201cguilty of an assault with a deadly weapon\u201d is tbe bare statement of Ed. Perry (repeated on cross-examination) tbat tbe defendant, Watkins, bit tbe deceased on tbe nose with a pair of handcuffs. There is no description by tbe witness of the size of tbe handcuffs, whether large or small, nor of tbeir weight, whether heavy or light, nor of their character, whether of metal, leather or rope, nor of the manner of their use, whether a light, glancing or full-faced blow was struck. Nor were the handcuffs themselves offered in evidence. It is not contended that the assault with the handcuffs caused the death of the deceased or contributed thereto.\nIn this state of the record, we think his honor erred in instructing the jury that \u201can assault, when made with an instrument such as a pair of handcuffs, would constitute in law an assault with a deadly weapon.\u201d S. v. Smith, 187 N. C., 469, 121 S. E., 181.\nAny instrument which is likely to produce death or great bodily harm, under the circumstances of its use, is properly denominated a deadly weapon. S. v. Craton, 28 N. C., 165 at page 179. But where it may ox-may not be likely to produce such results, according to the manner of its use, or the part of the body at which the blow is aimed, its alleged deadly character is one of fact to be determined by the jury. S. v. West, 51 N. C., 505. \u201cWhere the deadly character of the weapon is to be determined by the relative size and condition of the parties and the manner in which it is used,\u201d the question is for the jury. S. v. Archbell, 139 N. C., 537, 51 S. E., 801; S. v. Norwood, 115 N. C., 789, 20 S. E., 712; S. v. Huntley, 91 N. C., 621. \u201cIf its character as being deadly or not depended upon the facts and circumstances it became a question for the jury with proper instructions from the court.\u201d S. v. Beal, 170 N. C., 764, 87 S. E., 416. See, also, S. v. Hefner, 199 N. C., 778; S. v. Phillips, 104 N. C., 786, 10 S. E., 463; S. v. Porter, 101 N. C., 713, 7 S. E., 902; S. v. Collins, 30 N. C., 407.\nThere are other exceptions appearing on the l'ecord worthy of consideration, but as they are not likely to ai-ise on another heai-ing, we shall not consider them now.\nNew trial.", "type": "majority", "author": "Stacy, C. J." }, { "text": "OlaRKsoN, J.,\ndissenting: The evidence against the defendant was to the effect that the defendant, with Vance Mangum and Swannie Council, was brought to trial upon an indictment in the ordinary fox-m for the homicide of Willie Bellamy. The Solicitor asked only for a verdict of manslaughter against these defendants. Upon this chai-ge the jury acquitted Vance Mangum and Swannie Council and convicted Gordon Watkins of an assault with a deadly weapon.\nC. S., 4639, is as follows: \u201cOn the trial of any person for rape, or any felony whatsoever, when the crime charged includes an assault against the person, it is lawful for the jury to acquit of the felony and to find a verdict of guilty of assault against the person indicted, if the evidence warrants such finding; and when such verdict is found the court shall have power to imprison the person so found guilty of an assault, for any term now allowed by law in eases of conviction when the indictment was originally for the assault of a like character.\u201d S. v. Hunt, 128 N. C., at p. 586; S. v. Williams, 185 N. C., at p. 688. The defendant was convicted of \u201can assault with deadly weapon.\u201d This has been permissible since act of 1885, chap. 68, which is C. S., 4639, supra, if the evidence shall warrant such finding \u2014 which is not questioned in this case.\nThe defendants all had charge of the convicts, sentenced to work upon the public roads of Wake County, either as guards or otherwise. The State\u2019s evidence tended to show that the defendant, Willie Bellamy, was sentenced to work upon the public roads and was assigned to work at Camp No. 5. He was carried to this camp the afternoon of Monday, 21 July, and was put to work the following morning. The weather was hot and Bellamy, though a stout-appearing man, was evidently unaccustomed to hard labor in the hot sun. In consequence of his failure to work properly on the outside, he was given only bread and water for his supper that night and the same thing for breakfast Wednesday morning. On Wednesday he was brought back to the camp from working on the roads about noon and the county physician, Dr. E. W. Wilkerson, was called to see him. The doctor prescribed certain medicine and advised that he be kept in the next day. Eriday morning he was carried out to the roads to work and when brought in that night, ate the usual rations. Watkins, the defendant, inquired about this and said that Bellamy did not work much and then put him in the sweat-box. The next morning, Saturday, he was given only bread and water and carried out to work, notwithstanding Dr. Wilkerson had told them to be easy with him the next few days, according to the defendant\u2019s own admission. The defendant, on cross-examination, testified: \u201cAlthough the doctor had tali me he w[as mighty hot and vtery tender I put him in. the sweat-box with shackles on and the chain locked down to the staple on the -floor. Blankets were in there, but I did not see if he could reach them for that was the steward\u2019s job. I have never made the statement that his hands were not locked behind him on Eriday night. On Saturday morning I took him from the dark cell and gave him his hands. He went out Saturday morning and worked about two hours and about ten o\u2019clock I went down to where he was and found him lying in the shade. I knew he was the man who Dr. Wilkerson had told me to go easy with for three or four days, and I confined him in the sweat-box in the middle of the day with another man. After Bellamy had been in the sweat-box for some time Mr. Thompson told me that he appeared to be sick. I found him lying with his face down. I sent for some water and poured on him and unchained him. I turned him over and when I put the water on him he said \u2018It feels good.\u2019 I thought he was playing with me; I handcuffed him to find out to give bim a chance to get up, he got up and turned around. I found that something was wrong with him and in such condition that I sent for the doctor. He was later brought out of the sweat-box by Mr. Thompson and put in the shade. Mr. Thompson came to my quarters and asked if he could take him out. I came out in the yard and saw them bringing him out.\u201d He was kept this way in the sweat-box all night.\nWhile at work Saturday morning he was taken sick and brought in at noon. Notwithstanding his sickness, he was given only bread and water and confined in the sweat-box. The sweat-box was located in an open field about 40 or 50 yards from any trees. It was built out of oak timber about 1% inches thick, 3% feet wide, 6 feet high and 1 feet long. There was an opening around the top that had a wire screen on it and there was a big crack in the right-hand corner, at the entrance to the door. The roof was of boards and tar paper. It did not have any tin roof at that time. After he had been thus put in the sweat-box, in the middle of an exceedingly hot day, he grew so much worse that the doctor was sent for and he was carried to St. Agnes Hospital in Raleigh, where he died that night. When he was carried to the hospital, his temperature was 110 and he was unconscious. The only bruise that was found upon him at that time, was a scratched place {\u00a1\u00a1cross his nose, 1% inches long' and % of an inch wide. It appears that this wound was caused by the defendant, Watkins, striking him at noon, Saturday, with a pair of handcuffs.\nEd. Perry, testified, in part: \u201cI was a prisoner at Camp No. 5 during week of July 21st to 26th. On Saturday when we got to the camp and got to the wash basin he (Bellamy) tried to drink some water from the wash basin. Capt. Gordon (Watkins) knocked it out of his hand and asked him what he was trying to do. He hit him on the nose with a pair of handcuffs. Capt. Vance went up behind him and knocked him on the ground and they carried him to the dark cell and I did not see him no more.\u201d\nThis appeal is narrowed down to one question' \u2014 under the facts and circumstances of this case did the \u201chandcuffs\u201d constitute a deadly weapon? The court below, after reciting the contentions of the State in accordance with the evidence as above set forth, charged the law of criminal negligence, manslaughter and the following: \u201cAn assault is an attempt to do a corporate hurt to another; it is unlawful physical force applied to another and an assault, as defined to you, when made with an instrument such as a pair of handcuffs, would constitute in law an assault with a deadly weapon. An attempt to do a corporate hurt to another without the use of anything other than the human person is in law a simple assault.\u201d\nIn S. v. Collins, 30 N. C., at p. 412, 413, the court below left it to the jury to say \u201cWhether a knife two inches and a half long was a deadly weapon.\u201d On appeal this Court held this was so as a matter of law.\nIn S. v. Huntley, 91 N. C., at p. 620, is the following: \u201cThen what is a deadly weapon? It must be an instrument used, or that may be used, for the purpose of offense or defense capable of producing death. Some weapons are per se deadly; others, owing to the manner in which they are used, become deadly. A gun, a pistol, or dirk-knife, is of itself deadly; a small pocket knife, a walking cane, a switch of the size of a woman\u2019s finger, if strong and tough, may be made a deadly weapon if the aggressor shall use such instrument with great or furious violence, and especially, if the party assailed should have comparatively less power than the assailant, or be helpless and feeble .\u201d (Italics mine.)\nIn S. v. Archbell, 139 N. C., at p. 539, it is said: \u201cAn instrument which might be harmless upon a strong man, may become deadly when used upon a frail and delicate woman.\u201d S. v. Beall, 170 N. C., at p. 766; S. v. Hefner, 199 N. C., 778.\nIn S. v. Smith, 187 N. C., at p. 470, Stacy, J., writing for a unanimous Court, said: \u201cAny instrument which is likely to produce death or great bodily harm, under the circumstances of its use, is properly denominated a deadly weapon. S. v. Craton, 28 N. C., p. 179. The deadly character of the weapon depends sometimes more upon the manner of its use, and the condition of the person assaulted, than upon the intrinsic character of the weapon itself. S. v. Archbell, 139 N. C., 537; S. v. Sinclair, 120 N. C., 603; S. v. Norwood, 115 N. C., 789.\u201d (Italics mine.)\nWebster\u2019s New International Dictionary defines \u201chandcuff\u201d as follows : \u201cA metal ringlike fastening which can he locked around the wrist, usually connected by a chain or bar with one on the other wrist.\u201d The Century Dictionary gives a picture of the metal handcuff with the key and defines it as follows: \u201cA shackle or fastening for the hand consisting of a divided metal ring placed about and locked upon the wrist; a manacle. Handcuffs are used in pairs, one for each wrist, the two being connected by a short chain or jointed bar.\u201d\nIn the present case, the defendant\u2019s own testimony was to the effect that the doctor told defendant \u201cto go easy with him for three or four days.\u201d \u201cAlthough the doctor had told me he was mighty hot and very tender I put him in the \u2018sweat-box\u2019 with shackles on and the chain locked down to the staple on the floor.\u201d He was left in this sweat-box all Friday night. On Saturday, 26 July, he was taken from the \u201cdark cell.\u201d He had been in camp since Monday evening, 21 July, working in extremely hot weather. About the middle of Saturday, the same day he was \u201cconfined\u201d in the sweat-box with another man, defendant found bim lying with bis face down. Defendant \u201cunchained\u201d bim and poured some water on bim. Tbe prisoner Bellamy said: \u201cIt feels good.\u201d Tbat night tbe prisoner died about 11:30 o\u2019clock, a half hour after reaching tbe hospital they \u201ctook bis temperature and it went to tbe top of tbe thermometer at 110 ... be was unconscious.\u201d\nEd. Perry testified tbat when Bellamy, tbe prisoner, got to the wash basin tbat Saturday morning be tried to drink some water from tbe wash basin, no doubt caused by tbe overpowering thirst caused from bis fever. Defendant hit him,on the\u00a1 nose with a pair of handcuffs. Tbe bruise found upon bim was a scratched place across bis nose 1% inches long and % of an inch wide. It is a matter of common knowledge tbat handcuffs are of metal, it is so defined in tbe dictionaries. Everybody who has bad any experience in tbe courts or elsewhere knows what it is without it being produced on trial. In fact tbe defendant did not request tbe court below to charge tbat under tbe facts and circumstances of this case it was not a deadly weapon. From its use on a prisoner weakened by fever, shackled and manacled all night before and tbe other evidence of bis depleted condition tbe judge in tbe court below thought from tbe circumstances of its use tbat it was a deadly weapon, and as was said by Stacy, J., in tbe Smith case, supra, any instrument which is likely to produce death or great bodily harm under tbe circumstances of its use is properly denominated a deadly weapon.\n\u25a0 Tbe position of tbe main opinion in my judgment is technical in tbe extreme. Tbe record of defendant\u2019s conduct and bis own testimony shows reckless, inhuman, conduct to tbe prisoner \u2014 weakened by being manacled and shackled, and placed in tbe sweat-box and worked in tbe hot summer sun, and then struck by defendant with tbe handcuffs when seeking to quench bis feverish thirst by even trying to drink out of a wash basin. In less than twelve hours after this assault tbe prisoner was dead, with a fever at 110. I think defendant has been rightly convicted by a jury of bis own county.\nMr. Elibu Root, a great lawyer and statesman, said: \u201cEvery lawyer knows tbat tbe continued reversal of judgments, tbe sending of parties to a litigation to and fro between tbe trial courts and tbe appellate courts, has become a disgrace to tbe administration of justice in tbe United States. Everybody knows tbat tbe vast network of highly technical rules of evidence and procedure which prevails in this country serves to tangle justice in tbe name of form. It is a disgrace to our profession. It is a disgrace to our law and a discredit to our institutions.\u201d This statement is perhaps too radical, but it should be a warning.\nTbe language in tbe dissenting opinion of Stacy, C. J., in S. v. Strickland, ante, 630, is most applicable in tbe present case: \u201cEven in criminal prosecutions, where, for obvious reasons, matters of procedure are required to be observed with greater particularity than in civil actions, bills and warrants are no longer subject to quashal \u2018by reason of any informality or refinement,\u2019 C. S., 4625. Many cases have been upheld in the face of far more grievous defects than the one here alleged. S. v. Beal, 199 N. C., 278; Jennette v. Hovey, 182 N. C., 30, 108 S. E., 301. . . . The case turns on a Lilliputian point made Brohding-nagian. That is all there is in it. Why debate it further ? Gui Bono?\"", "type": "dissent", "author": "OlaRKsoN, J.," }, { "text": "Stacy, C. J.,\nconcurs quaere de dubiis: While not pressed on the argument, or debated on brief, it may be doubted whether a more fundamental question than all the rest, does not arise on the face of the record proper. It is this: Is a verdict of assault with a deadly weapon supported by a statutory indictment for murder which fails to allege that the homicide was committed by means of assault and battery or assault with a deadly weapon ? This may be doubted. In re McLeod, 23 Idaho, 257; 43 L. R. A. (N. S.), 813; Watson v. State, 116 Ga., 607, 43 S. E., 32, 21 L. R. A. (N. S.), 1, and note; 31 C. J., 866; 14 R. C. L., 210.\nIt is not essential to a valid indictment for murder that the means used be set out in the bill. The abbreviated statutory form is permissible and sufficient. S. v. Gilchrist, 113 N. C., 673, 18 S. E. 319; S. v. Covington, 117 N. C., 834, 23 S. E., 337; S. v. Matthews, 142 N. C., 621, 55 S. E., 342. But it is a rule of universal observance in the administration of the criminal law that a defendant cannot be charged with one offense and convicted of another not included therein. People v. Adams, 52 Mich., 24; S. v. Harbert, 185 N. C., 760, 118 S. E., 6. If this were not so, pleas of former jeopardy, former conviction and former acquittal would vanish from the books. 8 R. C. L., 110.\nTrue, it is provided by C. S., 4639 that \u201con the trial of any person for rape, or any felony whatsoever, when the crime charged includes an assault against the person, it is lawful for the jury to acquit of the felony and to find a verdict of guilty of assault against the person indicted, if the evidence warrants such finding.\u201d And it has been said in a number of cases, notably S. v. Williams, 185 N. C., 685, 116 S. E., 736, S. v. Smith, 157 N. C., 578, 72 S. E., 853, S. v. Fritz, 133 N. C., 725, 45 S. E., 957, and S. v. Hunt, 128 N. C., 584, 38 S. E., 473, that on an indictment for murder, the defendant may be convicted of any one of the three degrees of an unlawful homicide, to wit, murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, or manslaughter, and even of an assault with a deadly weapon, or of a simple assault, \u201cif the evidence shall warrant such finding,\u201d when he is not acquitted altogether. \u201cIt is as if all these counts were separately set out in the bill (for it includes all of them), S. v. Gilchrist, 113 N. C., 673.\u201d S. v. Hunt, supra. But in all of these eases, and others of like import, the observation is carefully made that, to warrant one of the lesser verdicts, assault with a deadly weapon or simple assault, the crime charged must include an assault against the person as an ingredient. S. v. Fritz, supra; S. v. Lee, 192 N. C., 225, 134 S. E., 458.\nAgain, it is provided by C. S., 4640 that \u201cupon the trial of any indictment the prisoner may be convicted of the crime charged therein or of a less degree of the same crime, or of an attempt to commit the crime so charged, or of an attempt to commit a less degree of the same crime.\u201d But the lesser offense for which a conviction may be had on an indictment for a higher one, must either be included in the general charge of the greater, or the indictment must contain sufficient allegations to constitute a charge of the lesser. Watson v. State, supra. Indeed, a conviction may not be had for an assault on an indictment for murder when it appears that not the assault charged but another caused the death. This would be a fatal variance between the allegation and the proof. S. v. Harbert, supra.\nIn a case like the present, where it is sought to fall back upon the lesser offense, assault and battery or assault with a deadly weapon, in case the greater, murder or manslaughter, is not made out, it is not unreasonable to require that the indictment for murder be so drawn as necessarily to include an assault and battery, or assault with a deadly weapon, or that it contain a separate count to this effect. Scott v. State, 60 Miss., 268. The decisions which hold that it would be violative of a defendant\u2019s constitutional right to charge him with the commission of one crime and convict him of another and different one, are not at variance with this requirement, but are accordant therewith. S. v. Wilkerson, 164 N. C., 432, 79 S. E., 888.\nThe Constitution provides that in all criminal prosecutions every man has the right to be informed of the accusation against, him, and that no person shall be put to answer any criminal charge, . . . but by indictment, presentment, or impeachment. Art. I, secs. 11 and 12. A defendant is entitled to be informed of the accusation against him, and to be tried accordingly. S. v. Ray, 92 N. C., 810; S. v. Snipes, 185 N. C., 743, 117 S. E., 500; S. v. Whedbee, 152 N. C., 770, 67 S. E., 60. \u201cThese principles,\u201d said Nash, C. J., in S. v. Moss, 47 N. C., 67, \u201care dear to every freeman; they are his shield and buckler against wrong and oppression, and lie at the foundation of civil liberty; they are declared to be rights of the citizens of North Carolina, and ought to be vigilantly guarded.\u201d\nOn an indictment which charges only that the defendant did felo-niously kill and slay the deceased, a conviction of assault with a deadly weapon cannot be sustained, unless an assault with a deadly weapon is perforce covered by the charge. S. v. Vineyard, 85 W. Va., 293, 101 S. E., 440. And if it be conceded that a charge of murder ex vi termini includes, as an ingredient, an assault against the person, would not a conviction of assault, on such indictment, necessarily be limited to the assault which contributed to the homicide? If not, may the defendant, under a charge of murder, be convicted of an assault against the person, of any character, committed within the period of the statute of limitations ?\nThe point may be illustrated by the instant case. Conceding that the placing of Willie Bellamy in the dark cell was an assault against him, under the circumstances disclosed by the record, which contributed to his death, would not this be the assault covered by the bill, and not some other assault which neither caused nor contributed to his death?\nTake another illustration: Two men engage in an affray in which each assaults the other with a deadly weapon, but neither is seriously injured. Months afterwards they meet again, one shoots the other and kills him. On an indictment for the murder, would it be permissible to convict the defendant of an assault committed in the affray?\nInvoluntary manslaughter may be committed without the deceased being assaulted, as for example, where a homicide occurs as a result of some negligent or culpable omission of duty. S. v. Rountree, 181 N. C., 535, 106 S. E., 669; S. v. McIver, 175 N. C., 761, 94 S. E., 682. Perhaps the most that can be said of the present indictment is, that it charges an offense of which assault with a deadly weapon may or may not be an ingredient. S. v. Thomas, 65 N. J. L., 598. It does not set out murder or manslaughter by assault, and it cannot be held to cover assault and battery, or assault with a deadly weapon, as an independent averment. People v. Adams, supra.\nOf course, where the means used to commit the homicide is set out in the bill and this includes an assault with a deadly weapon, it is not likely that the question here debated would ever arise.\nNothing said in this opinion is in any way binding on the court. The question is not decided.\nJustices Adams, ClabksoN, CoNNOe, and BeqgdeN, while not inclined to debate an academic question, deem it not improper to say that upon the evidence appearing in the record the following instruction, which was given the jury in this case, is in their opinion free from error: \u201cYou may bring in either one of four verdicts as to the defendant Watkins, as you may find the facts to be from the evidence, under the law as given you by the court: First, manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, or not guilty.\u201d", "type": "concurrence", "author": "Stacy, C. J.," } ], "attorneys": [ "Attorney-General Brummitt and Assistant Attorney-General Nash for the State.", "John W. Hinsdale, Percy J. Olive and J. 0. Little for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE v. GORDON WATKINS.\n(Filed 29 April, 1931.)\nHomicide D a \u2014 Whether pair of handcuffs was \u201cdeadly weapon\u201d held question for jury, and instruction in this case was reversible error.\nAs to whether a pair of handcuffs will be considered as a deadly weapon ordinarily depends upon their size, the material of which made, the relative strength and weakness of the assailant and assailed, and is usually a question for the jury, and under an indictment for a felonious killing, evidence that the assailant struck the deceased with a pair of handcuffs with other evidence tending to show that other causes resulted in the death of the deceased, an instruction \u201cthat an assault, when made with an instrument such as a pair of handcuffs would constitute in law an assault with a deadly weapon\u201d is error, the question being for the determination of the jury.\nClaRkson, J., dissenting.\nStacy, C. J., concurring quwre de dtMis.\nAdams, Clarkson, Connor and Broqden, JJ., approving another instruction as to manslaughter, assault, and assault with a deadly weapon.\nAppeal by defendant, Gordon 'Watkins, from Sink, Special Judge, at October Term, 1930, of Wake.\nCriminal prosecution tried upon tbe following bill of indictment:\n\u201cTbe jurors for tbe State upon their oath, present, tbat Gordon Watkins, Nance Mangum and Swannie Council, late of tbe county of Wake, on tbe 26tb day of July, in tbe year of our Lord, 1930, witb force and arms, at and in tbe county aforesaid, unlawfully, wilfully and feloniously did kill and slay Willie Bellamy, against tbe form of tbe statute in such case made and provided, and against tbe peace and dignity of tbe State.\u201d\nGordon Watkins, Yance Mangum and Swannie Council were supervisor, tractor driver and guard, respectively, of Prison Camp No. 5, Wake County, and Willie Bellamy was a prisoner assigned to work at said camp under a miitimus from tbe city court of Raleigh.\nTbe evidence is in sharp conflict as to tbe character of treatment accorded tbe deceased by tbe defendants who bad him in custody while a prisoner assigned to work on tbe public roads of Wake County. Tbe State contended tbat Bellamy\u2019s death resulted from working him in tbe hot sun, while sick, without adequate food, and thereafter confining him in a sweat-box for disciplinary purposes. He died at St. Agnes Hospital, 11:30 p.m. Saturday, 26 July, 1930. Tbe cause of death was stated by tbe attending physician to be, \u201cHeat prostration witb convulsive seizures, producing acute congestion of brain. Contributing cause, excessive hot weather.\u201d\nWillie Bellamy was a large, colored man wbo weighed about 175 or 180 pounds. Tbe evidence tends to sbow tbat be was unruly, sullen; impudent; declined to work; refused to obey orders; and tbat be tried to assault tbe defendant Watkins.\nAt tbe close of defendants\u2019 evidence, tbe State called two witnesses in rebuttal, one of tbem Ed. Perry, a fellow refractory prisoner, wbo testified tbat, when tbe prisoners came into tbe camp from tbeir work at tbe end of tbe balf-day, noon Saturday, 26 July, Willie Bellamy \u201ctried to drink some water from tbe wash basin (provided for batbing purposes). Capt. Gordon (Watkins) knocked it out of bis bands and asked bim wbat be was trying to do. He bit bim on the nose with a pair of handcuffs. They carried bim to tbe dark cell and I did not see bim any more.\u201d (Cross-examination) \u201cCapt. Gordon (Watkins) bit bim on tbe nose with handcuffs'.\u201d\nAll tbe witnesses for tbe defendant, wbo were present at tbe time, denied tbat tbe defendant struck tbe deceased with bis handcuffs. Tbe only mark on tbe body of tbe deceased was a slight abrasion on tbe nose, which H. P. Thompson, witness for tbe State, thought was caused by a protruding plank in tbe solitary confinement cell. He said: \u201cIt stuck out about an inch and bis nose was resting on that, and it looked like tbat was wbat might have caused it.\u201d\nIt is not contended tbat tbe blow on tbe nose with tbe handcuffs, if made, caused Bellamy\u2019s death or contributed thereto.\nTbe court instructed tbe jury tbat \u201can assault, when made with an instrument such as a pair of handcuffs, would constitute in law an assault with a deadly weapon.\u201d Exception.\nYerdict: Not guilty as to Yance Mangum and Swannie Council. Guilty of \u201can assault with a deadly weapon\u201d as to Gordon Watkins.\nJudgment: Imprisonment in county jail for a term of six months.\nTbe defendant, Gordon Watkins, appeals, assigning errors.\nAttorney-General Brummitt and Assistant Attorney-General Nash for the State.\nJohn W. Hinsdale, Percy J. Olive and J. 0. Little for defendant." }, "file_name": "0692-01", "first_page_order": 760, "last_page_order": 769 }