King v. State , 4 Tex. Ct. App. 54 ( 1878 )

White, J.

The appellant in this case and one Bill Davis (both negroes) had a quarrel in the town of Farmersville, Collin County, which resulted in an agreement between them to fight with knives. They go together to a store and purchase a butcher-knife apiece, and start in company to the field of combat, Davis riding a pony and defendant walking. We make the following extract from the testimony of the witness Bill Davis, as explanatory of the remaining facts connected with the transaction, there being but an immaterial, if any, apparent discrepancy in the testimony of the several witnesses who were present at the rencounter.

He says : “ When about a half-mile from Farmersville, he turned out to some bushes to tie his pony, at which time the defendant came up to the head of the pony. Witness dismounted on the left side of the pony, walked round the rear of the pony, catching him by the tail to prevent falling. Witness met the defendant on the right side of the pony, and struck him the first blow with his butcher-knife, cutting a pretty deep and long gash on defendant’s forearm, at which time defendant shot witness in the wrist with a derringer pistol. Witness then ran off a little distance and stopped. Defendant reloaded his pistol and started towards witness. Witness ran again ; the defendant shot at witness again. Witness stuck his knife in the ground and picked up a rock. Defendant again reloaded his pistol and took after witness again. Witness ran again, and defendant fired upon him again. This ended the fight. Defendant only hit witness the first time he shot at him. The ball is still in the wrist of witness.”

The facts thus detailed establish in law a case of mutual combat. And the deliberate agreement of the parties to fight, their choice and procurement of deadly weapons, and the coolness with which they proceed to the field of battle, a half a mile distant, all evidence that formed design which, in cases of homicide, is the essential ingredient of the crime of murder. 4 Bla. Com. 198, and note; Whart. on Hom., sec. 463, and note; Lester v. The State, 2 Texas Ct. App. 432; Perry v. The State, 44 Texas, 473.

The charge of the court presented the law correctly-with regard to the law of mutual combat, and the court did not err in refusing the special instructions asked by defendant, there being no evidence adduced on the trial which would make such a charge applicable to the facts. Nor do‘we think, as is contended by counsel, that the court erred in omitting to charge upon the law of aggravated assault. In our opinion, the facts would not warrant such a charge. To our minds it is clear, from the evidence, that the defendant, after agreeing to fight with knives, sought and attempted to get the advantage by shooting and killing bis antagonist with a pistol.

The correct doctrine in cases of mutual combat is that laid down by the Supreme Court of California in The People v. Sanchez. They say: “In case of mutual combat, in order to reduce the offense from murder to manslaughter, it must appear that the contest was waged upon equal terms, and no undue advantage was sought or taken by either side; for, if such was the case, malice may be inferred, and the killing amount to nnirder.” 24 Cal. 27.

As a whole, the charge of the court was as favo rabie to defendant.as he had any right to expect or demand, and he does not appear to have excepted to it on the trial.

The punishment imposed by the verdict and judgment (two years and three months in the penitentiary) is, under all the facts of the case, much less than the. jury might have been justified in imposing. Defendant not only sought an undue and cowardly advantage by arming himself with, and using, his pistol, but, after his antagonist had been shot, and had retreated to a distance which placed defendant beyond reach of danger from the butcher-knife with which he was armed, defendant twice reloads his pistol, and twice again fires upon him.

The judgment of the lower court is affirmed.

Affirmed