Shaeffer v. State

BaTTeE, J. Houston Raley and Barry Shaeffer were jointly indicted for burglary. They were charged with breaking open the store house of B. C. Black, in the night time, with the intent “unlawfully, willfully, maliciously, feloniously and burglariously to steal-, take, and carry away” goods, wares and merchandise-of B. C. Black, of the value of fifteen dollars. They were tried separately, and Shaeffer was convicted. Evidence held competent to prove insanity. 1. One of Shaeffer’s defenses was that he was laboring under such a defect of mind as not to know the nature and quality of the act with which he was charged ; or, if he did know, that- he was ignorant of doing wrong in committing it. In connection with other evidence tending to sustain this defense, he offered to prove by his. mother that “she had another son, just two years older than the defendant, who lived to be eight years of age, and was 'all of his life an imbecile, not knowing either his father or mother, and not being able to walk or talk;” and the court refused to admit the evidence; In this it erred. Such evidence is cumulative, and is only admissible in connection with other evidence bearing upon the same subject. • People v. Garbutt, 17 Mich. 9; Wharton & Stille’s Medical Jurisprudence, secs. 375, 377, Admissibility of testimony of non-expert. 2. Appellant introduced John Cargwill and others, as witnesses, who testified that they had known him for many years and what they knew of his condition ; and that they did not think that he was able to distinguish -between right and wrong to such an extent as to be able to know that it was wrong to commit burglary or larceny. After this his attorneys asked him the following question: “Prom your observation of the defendant during your acquaintance with him, and from the acts you have detailed, do you think, if he could distinguish between right and wrong as to a crime like he is charged with, he would have sufficient mental power to keep from committipg the crime?” They were not permitted to answer it, and no error was committed in the refusal. When a person’s mental condition or capacity is in question, the opinions of witnesses, who are not experts, as to such capacity are only admissible in evidence, when taken in connection with the facts upon which such opinions are based. Before such evidence can be admissible, “ the specific facts upon which the opinions are based must first be stated by the witnesses, or their testimony must show that such intimate and close relations have existed between the party alleged to be insane and themselves as fairly to lead to the conclusion that their opinions will be justified by their opportunities for observing the party.” In other words, the opinion of such a witness is not admissible in evidence until it be first shown by his own testimony that he has information upon which it can reasonably be based. Whether the information is sufficient for that purpose is a question for the court to decide before it can be admitted. After its admission, the weight to be given it is determined by the jury. Buswell on Insanity, secs, 240, 241, and cases cited. In the case under consideration, the foundation laid was not sufficient to render the opinion sought admissible as evidence. The witnesses did not show that they had opportunities to know what capacity the appellant had to resist any propensity or temptation to commit what constitutes burglary or larceny, if done by a sane person. The facts within their knowledge convinced them that he could not distinguish between right and wrong as to such crimes. In their opinion, the opportunity never had offered itself for them to determine whether he could abstain from the commission of the crime of burglary, when he knew or believed such crimes were wrong, and he had an opportunity to commit any of them. Never having seen him tested under such circumstances, they could form no opinion as to his capacity to refrain from the commission of the crime charged against him, which would be admissible as evidence. How could they? Upon what could they base it? No foundation having been laid for the introduction of the opinion sought by the question propounded, which the court refused to allow witnesses to answer, there is no occasion for us to consider the admissibility of evidence to show that appellant was incapable of resisting an impulse to commit the acts with which he was charged. As to the admissibility of such evidence, there is a conflict of authority, and we express no opinion. opinions of evMence.rts as 3. To rebut the evidence adduced by the appellant to show that he did not have the capacity to distinguish between right and wrong as to the acts with which he was charged, the state introduced J. Iv. Moore, B. C. Black, and others as witnesses. Moore testified as follows: “I have known the defendant for five or six years. During that time I have seen him on the street very often. I have never had him working around me. From what I have seen of him during that time and observed, I don’t think there is anything wrong with him.” Black said : ‘‘I have seen the defendant on the street for several years. I never noticed anything peculiar about him. From what I have seen of him, I never thought but that he was all right.” All this testimony was admitted over the objection of the appellant. In this the court erred.' They did not show that they were possessed of information sufficient to form an opinion entitled to be adduced as evidence. noYpree“u¿[°/ ial' 4. The appellant asked and the court refused to give the following instruction : “If the jury find from the evidence that the defendant did in fact break and enter the house of B. C. Black with the intent to commit petit larceny only, he would not be guilty as charged, and the jury should acquit him.” While this instruction was covered by one given, and no reversible error was committed in refusing it, the court would have done well if it had granted the request. Had it done so, the jury would more certainly have understood their duty in the premises. There are other questions in the case, which we deem unnecessary to notice in this opinion. For the errors indicated, the judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause is remanded for a new trial.