Rosenthal v. State

Atkinson, J. 1. The record discloses that there was direct evidence tending to prove that the defendant did certain proprietary acts in furtherance of the operation and maintenance .of a gaming-house. A conviction, therefore, did not depend wholly upon circumstantial evidence. In such [559] ease it was not erroneous for the judge to refuse to charge upon the law of circumstantial evidence. MeElroy v. State, 125 Ga. 37; Smith v. State, Ib. 296. Argued October 16,- Decided November 7, 1906. Indictment for misdemeanor. Before Judge Cann. Chatham superior court. June 30, 1906. Twiggs & Oliver, for plaintiff in error. W. TF. Osborne, solicitor-general, contra. 2. Two defendants being jointly accused of the offense of keeping and maintaining a gaming-house, 'and the evidence being wholly circumstantial as to one and direct as to the other, it was not erroneous for the judge in his charge to distinguish the two, and with reference to one instruct . the jury upon the law of circumstantial evidence, and with reference to the other refuse to charge the law of circumstantial evidence. By so distinguishing, the judge did not, in this case, express any opinion prejudicial against the defendant. 3. The words, “If the defendant did anything which contributed to the maintenance or keeping of the gaming-house,” fairly construed in connection with the whole charge, referred to some act of proprietorship in the keeping of a gaming-house, and it was not erroneous for the court to use such language in the instructions to the jury upon the elements of the offense. Judgment ajjvrmed. All the Justices concur.