{ "id": 8612821, "name": "STATE v. WALTER CALDWELL", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Caldwell", "decision_date": "1937-11-24", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "484", "last_page": "490", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "212 N.C. 484" } ], "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": "210 N. C., 613", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627987 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/210/0613-01" ] }, { "cite": "162 N. C., 667", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11272323 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/162/0667-01" ] }, { "cite": "195 N. C., 552", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8630764 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/195/0552-01" ] }, { "cite": "206 N. C., 443", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8630822 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/206/0443-01" ] }, { "cite": "208 N. C., 401", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8607933 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/208/0401-01" ] }, { "cite": "197 N. C., 478", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629803 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/197/0478-01" ] }, { "cite": "70 N. C., 356", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8692807 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/70/0356-01" ] }, { "cite": "92 N. C., 772", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11275140 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/92/0772-01" ] }, { "cite": "12 N. C., 259", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8688595 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/12/0259-01" ] }, { "cite": "170 N. C., 772", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8662842 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/170/0772-01" ] }, { "cite": "84 N. C., 728", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8698696 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/84/0728-01" ] }, { "cite": "188 N. C., 720", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8654826 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/188/0720-01" ] }, { "cite": "97 N. C., 447", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8650731 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/97/0447-01" ] }, { "cite": "203 N. C., 586", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8615955 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/203/0586-01" ] }, { "cite": "192 N. C., 594", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625355 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/192/0594-01" ] }, { "cite": "142 N. C., 695", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652790 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/142/0695-01" ] }, { "cite": "115 N. C., 706", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652791 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/115/0706-01" ] }, { "cite": "202 N. C., 351", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626291 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/202/0351-01" ] }, { "cite": "210 N. C., 686", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628566 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/210/0686-01" ] }, { "cite": "198 N. C., 547", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8614343 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/198/0547-01" ] }, { "cite": "191 N. C., 659", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8630901 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/191/0659-01" ] }, { "cite": "184 N. C., 645", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11271934 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/184/0645-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 695, "char_count": 14769, "ocr_confidence": 0.47, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.067956406659699e-07, "percentile": 0.5590464926719666 }, "sha256": "cacd8b9d1a86aa35c4f9f3b3d69fdb15c331147636b2b2055ee1c57f70aa6cb3", "simhash": "1:a0229695ea42b0e7", "word_count": 2789 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:30:43.466662+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "STATE v. WALTER CALDWELL." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "ClaRicsoN, J.\nAt the close of the State\u2019s evidence the defendant made a motion in the court below for judgment as in case of nonsuit. N. C. Code 1935 (Michie), sec. 4643'. The court below overruled the motion, and in this we can see no error. The evidence was plenary to have been submitted to the jury.\nThe charge of the court below is not in the record; the presumption is to the effect that the court charged the law applicable to the facts. We think the evidence objected to competent.\nThe defendant contends that the prosecuting witness made no outcry, which is a circumstance affecting her credibility to be considered in favor of the accused. S. v. Dill, 184 N. C., 645. It is presumed that the court below in the charge covered this aspect, if the evidence supported it. The testimony of the prosecuting witness was \u201cHe came after me and I hollered. He caught me by the arm and dragged me back into the house. He pulled me into the house and into the bedroom where he pushed me across the bed and held the broken blade of a knife to my throat. He stated that if I made any outcry he would kill me. He then accomplished his purpose.\u201d\nThe alleged confession of defendant to the sheriff while in jail, in the presence of other officers, we think was voluntarily made. On the voir dire the court below examined the sheriff and gave defendant an opportunity to \u201cput up any evidence on this particular point\u201d and held \u201cupon no evidence being produced by the defendant, the court holds the statement made by the defendant was voluntarily made.\u201d S. v. Whitener, 191 N. C., 659; S. v. Blake, 198 N. C., 547. Tbis finding is not reviewable if there is any competent evidence to support same. S. v. Moore, 210 N. C., 686 (692-3).\nIn S. v. Myers, 202 N. C., 351 (353), it is said: \u201cThe confession in evidence was not made under the impulsion of hope or fear. The suggestion that the accused had better tell who the \u2018other men\u2019 were or that he \u2018had better go on and tell the truth\u2019 has no element of unlawful inducement. As said in S. v. Harrison, 115 N. C., 706, \u2018The rule which is generally approved is, that where the prisoner is advised to tell nothing but the truth, or even when what is said to him has no tendency to induce him to make an untrue statement, his confession in either case is admissible.\u2019 No promise was made to induce the confession; no threat was used to extort it. S. v. Bohanon, 142 N. C., 695.\u201d\n. In 8. v. Jones, 203 N. CL, 374 (376), is the following: \u201c \u2018We are not aware' of any decision which holds a confession, otherwise voluntary, inadmissible because of the number of officers present at the time it was made. Nor has the diligence of counsel discovered any. 8. v. Gray, 192 N. C., 594.\u201d\nIn S. v. Grier, 203 N. C., 586 (588), it is written: \u201cA confession voluntarily made by a person under arrest is competent. S. v. Ellis, 97 N. C., 447; S. v. Rodman, 188 N. C., 720; and all confessions are to be taken as voluntary unless the person making them shows facts authorizing a legal inference to the contrary. S. v. Sanders, 84 N. C., 728; S. v. Christy, 170 N. C., 772. But every confession must be voluntary. The test is whether it was made under circumstances that would reasonably lead the person charged to believe that it would be better to confess himself guilty of a crime he had not committed. It is expressed in various ways. The confession is inadmissible if \u2018the defendant was influenced by any threat or promise,\u2019 or if it is \u2018induced by hope or extorted by fear,\u2019 or if \u2018fear is excited by a direct charge or hope is suggested by assurance,\u2019 or if extorted by \u2018threats, promises, or any undue influence,\u2019 or if \u2018wrung from the mind by the flattery of hope or the torture of despair,\u2019 or by \u2018actual force,\u2019 or the \u2018hope of escape,\u2019 or the statement, \u2018It will be lighter on you.\u2019 S. v. Roberts, supra (12 N. C., 259); S. v. Howard, supra (92 N. C., 772); S. v. Whitfield, 70 N. C., 356; S. v. Myers, 202 N. C., 351; S. v. Livingston, ibid., 809.\u201d S. v. Fox, 197 N. C., 478; S. v. Gosnell, 208 N. C., 401.\nIn S. v. Stefanoff, 206 N. C., 443 (444): \u201cWhere there is no duress, threat or inducement, and the court found there was none here, the fact that the defendants were under arrest at the time the confessions were made, does not ipso facto render them incompetent. S. v. Newsome, 195 N. C., 552; S. v. Drakeford, 162 N. C., 667. \u2018We are not aware of any decision which holds a confession, otherwise voluntary, inadmissible because of the number of officers present at the time it was made. Nor has the diligence of counsel discovered any.\u2019 S. v. Gray, 192 N. C., 594.\u201d S. v. Tate, 210 N. C., 613 (617).\nNo threat or promise of any immunity or reward was made defendant. The confession was voluntary, made neither under the influence of hope nor fear. \u201cI told him we would like to know the truth.\u201d This was no inducement. From the competent evidence we think the confession voluntary, and it was so found by the court below.\nOn the record we see no prejudicial or reversible error.\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "ClaRicsoN, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Attorney-General Seawell and Assistant Attorney-General McMullan for the Slate.", "Jaclc Joyner and Andrew G. McIntosh for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE v. WALTER CALDWELL.\n(Filed 24 November, 1937.)\n1. Rape \u00a7 8-\" \u2022\nEvidence in this prosecution to tbe effect that defendant obtained carnal knowledge of prosecutrix against her will by threatening to kill her with a knife is held, sufficient to be submitted to the jury on an indictment charging rape.\n3. Criminal Law \u00a7 77b\u2014\nWhere tbe charge is not in the record it will be presumed on appeal that the court correctly charged the law applicable to the facts, and covered all aspects of the case supported by the evidence.\n3. Criminal Law \u00a7 81a\u2014\nThe finding of the trial court on the voir dire that defendant\u2019s confession was voluntary is not reviewable when supported by any competent evidence.\n4. Criminal Law \u00a7 33 \u2014 Presence of officers does not render confession involuntary.\nConfessions are competent when they are in fact voluntarily made without hope or inducement, threats or fear; but the fact that a confession was given in the presence of officers of the law, some of whom were armed, and that defendant was told by them that they would like to know the truth, does not render the confession involuntary.\nAppeal by defendant from Rousseau, J., and a jury, at August Term, 1937, of Ibebell. No error.\nTbe defendant was tried and convicted and judgment was pronounced on a bill of indictment charging bim, on 31 July, 1937, \u201cwith force and arms, at and in tbe county aforesaid, unlawfully, willfully, and feloni-ously did commit an assault on one Macie Smith, a female, and her tbe said Macie Smith, feloniously, by force and against her will, did ravish and carnally know, against tbe form of the statute in such case made and provided and against tbe peace and dignity of tbe State.\u201d\nMacie Smith, witness for tbe State, testified, in part: \u201cI know tbe defendant Walter Caldwell, be has been working for us for a little over a year. I saw Walter Caldwell Saturday afternoon, 31 July, about 4:30. . . . Will Gibson and bis wife left and shortly thereafter Walter Caldwell came to tbe back porch and asked me for some matches, as be bad done before on numerous occasions. I secured tbe matches and banded them to Walter Caldwell, whereupon be placed bis foot in tbe door and came up on tbe porch and stated that be bad something be wanted to tell me. At that time I bad my baby girl in my arms, she being about two years of age, and my young son, about eight years of age, was asleep in tbe bouse. I then told Walter Caldwell that be did not have anything to talk to me about. He then seized me by tbe arm and insisted that be bad something to tell me and started pulling me toward tbe kitchen. After be bad pushed me in tbe kitchen I told bim that if be bad anything to say to go ahead and say it. At that time be bad pushed me up against tbe pantry door. He then stated that \u2018I know that you know that you can kill me for what I am going to do.\u2019 I still bad my baby girl in my arms and asked bim to let me take ber into tbe bouse. He would not let me do this, and made me place ber on the floor by us. I stated that I heard an automobile drive \u00fap in front of the house and wanted to see who it was. He stated that he would go see who was in the car, and for me not to move from where I was. As he went out of the kitchen door I ran and gut into the back yard almost to the well. He came after me and I hollered. He caught me by the arm and dragged me back into the house. He pulled me into the house and into the bedroom where he pushed me across the bed and held the broken blade of a knife to my throat. He stated that if I made any outcry he would kill me. He then accomplished his purpose. . . . During the course of what I have just related I called several times for my young son who was asleep, and Walter Caldwell told me to stop or else he would kill me, and I did not get my son awake. . . . When my husband reached home I told him what had happened. . . .Mr. Plyler and my husband then took me to the Lowrance Hospital in Mooresville and I was examined by Dr. Taylor. I had bruises about my arm, but was not otherwise hurt. ... I smelled whiskey on Walter Caldwell\u2019s breath. He looked as if he was drunk. I have known that he drank liquor before.\u201d\nDr. G. W. Taylor, witness for the State, testified: \u201cI examined Mrs. Smith on 31 July, about 6 :30 at the Lowrance Hospital in Mooresville. I examined her and found that some one had recently had intercourse with her. The semen which I extracted was very verile and active. Mrs. Smith told me that Walter Caldwell had assaulted her. I have known Mrs. Smith for a number of years and know her to be a woman of good character. I know the same about her husband, George Smith. She had bruises on her arm and neck. (Cross-examination.) I do not know anything about the occurrence, all I know is that there had been an intercourse. In my opinion within the last three or four hours. She was not lacerated or bruised locally. There were signs of bruises on her arm. There was no evidence of a struggle.\u201d\nJohn White Moore, sheriff of Iredell County and witness for the State, testified: \u201cQ. Has the defendant at any time made any statement regarding this matter? Ans.: Yes, sir. Q. Where were you and who was present? Ans.: In jail, in the presence of Carl Bailey, a deputy sheriff and jailer, and Sergeant Lentz, highway patrolman. Q. What did you say to the prisoner or what did you do to him prior to the time he made the statement ? Ans.: I warned him of his rights and told him he didn\u2019t have to make any statement to me whatsoever; there wasn\u2019t anybody going to hurt him, and if he did make a statement that would tend to incriminate him, it would be used against him. I said, \u2018If you have anything to say I\u2019d like to hear it.\u2019 Q. Did you offer any threats of any kind ? Ans.: Absolutely nothing. Q. Did you promise him any immunity or any reward? Ans.: No, sir. Q. Did any person in your presence offer any threat or any immunity or any reward to make tbe statement? Ans.: No, sir. Q. Did any one else speak to him? Ans.: I believe Sergeant Lentz said \u2018We would like to know the truth about it.\u2019 (The court allowed defendant to ask preliminary questions. Examination by Mr. Joyner.) Q. Sergeant Lentz had on his uniform and a pistol on his side? Ans.: Yes, sir. Q. Caldwell knew you were sheriff? Ans.: Yes, sir. Q. Mr. Bailey had a pistol? Ans.: No, sir. Q. I ask you if you didn\u2019t say to him \u2018The best thing you can do is tell the truth?\u2019 Ans.: I don\u2019t think I told him. I told him \u2018We would like to know the truth.\u2019 I might have said \u2018The truth wouldn\u2019t hurt anybody,\u2019 but I don\u2019t think I said the best thing was to tell the truth. Q. If you didn\u2019t also tell him it would be lighter on him? Ans.: No, sir. (By the court) : Q. Did you tell him it would be the best for him if he did tell the truth ? Ans.: I don\u2019t know. I might have said the truth didn\u2019t hurt anybody and I\u2019d like to know the truth about the situation. Q. You didn\u2019t tell him it would be best for him, or better, or lighter? Ans.: No, sir. Q. Did any one in your presence tell him it would be lighter or better for him if he would tell the truth about it? Ans.: No, sir. (The court offered to let the defendant put up any evidence on this particular point. Upon no evidence being produced by the defendant, the court holds the statement made by the defendant was voluntarily made.) (Examination by the solicitor.) Q. What statement did he make ? Ans.: He said he was guilty of this crime that he was accused of. I asked him if he was drinking. He said he was at that time. I said, Hid you get some liquor after you left Mr. Smith\u2019s house ?\u2019 He said, \u2018Yes, at the Cascade he got a half pint and drank it.\u2019 \u201d\nMrs. T. W. Plyler testified, in part: \u201cI am a neighbor and live fifty or a hundred yards from the Smith home. On 31 July, I was at home and heard some kind of a noise at the Smith home, but thought that it was some of the children playing. I dressed and walked down to the Smith home. When I got there Mrs. Smith took me into the kitchen and asked me if I had seen Preacher Caldwell. In a few minutes she whispered to me that Preacher Caldwell tried to kill her and then told me what had taken place. The prisoner was walking out of the back door when I got to the Smith house. (Cross-examination.) I went to the Smith home on purely a social visit and not in consequence of anything I heard at the house. I did not hear any unusual noise at the Smith home and what I heard was like children playing, and it was not in consequence of what I heard that I went to the Smith house. When I came up to the back porch Preacher Caldwell was coming out of the kitchen door. He was not walking slow or fast \u2014 was coming, just walking. He did not appear to be excited and I did not notice anything unusual about his appearance. I am familiar with the Smith house and there is no door or entrance way from tbe kitchen into the interior of the house. In order to get from the kitchen into the house you must go out on the back porch. I have known Preacher Caldwell since we have been living next to the Smiths and always thought he was a good Negro.\u201d\nOther corroborating evidence was introduced by the State. The defendant introduced no evidence. Defendant was captured near the Cascade Mills at Mooresville, N. C., about seven miles from the scene of the crime, some three hours after the alleged crime, about 7 o\u2019clock, and did not attempt to escape. He was drinking at the time of the alleged crime and when captured.\nThe defendant made several exceptions and assignments of error and appealed to the Supreme Court. The material ones will be considered in the opinion.\nAttorney-General Seawell and Assistant Attorney-General McMullan for the Slate.\nJaclc Joyner and Andrew G. McIntosh for defendant." }, "file_name": "0484-01", "first_page_order": 554, "last_page_order": 560 }