Smith v. State , 130 Ga. App. 390 ( 1973 )

Evans, Judge.

The defendant was convicted of the offense of burglary, in that he did, "unlawfully and with force and arms without authority and with intent to commit a theft therein, enter the building of Suburban Plaza Lerner Shop, Inc.” He was sentenced to serve a term of three years. The appeal is from the judgment and sentence. Held:

1. Defendant complains because the trial court failed to properly instruct the jury as to the meaning of the term "with force and arms.” The indictment charged that the accused, on December 5,1972, "unlawfully and with force and arms without authority and with intent to commit a theft therein, did enter the building of Suburban Plaza Lerner Shop, Inc., contrary to the laws of said State, etc.” (Emphasis supplied.) The words "with force and arms” are not a part of the statute which makes it a crime to enter a building without authority and with intent to commit a theft therein. See Code Ann. § 26-1601 (Ga. L. 1968, pp. 1249, 1287). Nor are these words required in the form prescribed by law for indictments. Code § 27-701. An allegation in an indictment that is wholly unnecessary to constitute the offense charged is mere surplusage. Wood v. State, 69 Ga. App. 450 (26 SE2d 140). An indictment couched in the language of the statute is not subject to general demurrer. McDonald v. State, 222 Ga. 596 (1) (151 SE2d 121); Kersh v. State, 24 Ga. 191 (1). There was no attack on the indictment here by special demurrer or motion to strike, and such attack would have been required had the defendant desired to have this language removed as surplusage. Reese v. Reese, 89 Ga. 645 (3) (15 SE 846). The trial judge was not obliged to deal with mere surplusage in his charge, and consequently there is no error in his failing to correctly instruct the jury as to the meaning of the term "with force and arms.”

2. Defendant contends the verdict is contrary to the law and the evidence. Defendant was found hiding or skulking in the rear of the Lerner Shop. He admitted that he had been hiding in the attic for the purpose of committing burglary. Under the terms of the new statute on burglary it is not necessary that the defendant actually commit the theft — it is sufficient if he enters without authority and with the intent to commit a theft; or if he enters or remains within a building or any room or any part thereof. See Code Ann. § 26-1601, supra.

The evidence, including defendant’s admission, was ample to support the verdict of guilty.

3. One of the jurors inquired of the court: "If you feel a person has intent and he doesn’t commit an act is he guilty of burglary?”, to which the court replied, "Yes, sir.” Standing alone, we would be disposed to regard this response as erroneous. The only exception enumerated to this action is that the court erred in giving an incorrect charge on the definition of crime. The judge proceeded then and there to clarify his statement by adding: "The definition of burglary, as Í have given you, says that he either enters or remains on the premises of another with the intent to commit a felony or a theft.” Thus, the juror was told that before one could be convicted of burglary, there must be not only intent, but, "he either enters or remains on the premises of another with the intent to commit a felony or theft.” In the case sub judice the state proved that defendant remained on the premises with intent to commit a theft. In view of the prompt clarification the juror could not have been confused, and there was no reversible error shown in the initial answer of the trial judge to the question of the juror.

Defendant cites Reece v. State, 210 Ga. 578 (2-a) (82 SE2d 10), but there a correct instruction was first given, and it was followed by an incorrect instruction which was misleading and confusing, and which was never withdrawn. The clarifying statement must come after the confusing statement, as was done in the case sub judice. He also cites Wells v. State, 126 Ga. App. 130 (1) (190 SE2d 106), but here the court had erroneously charged on the preponderance of the evidence in a criminal case, which was held to be confusing, and it was also held that a later charge on reasonable doubt was insufficient to correct the earlier error. The court did not give an incorrect charge in defining burglary here, and the cases cited do not support defendant’s contentions.

Submitted September 17, 1973 Decided November 16, 1973 Rehearing denied December 5, 1973 William G. Hughes, for appellant. Richard Bell, District Attorney, George N. Guest, for appellee.

4. Defendant made a proper demand for a list of the state’s witnesses prior to arraignment and a list of witnesses was furnished him. After arraignment, on March 15th, the state furnished a supplemental list of witnesses just four days before the trial on March 19th. Defendant made prompt objection, and particularly objected to the testimony of Mrs. Wilma Jean Arnold, manager of the burglarized establishment, whose name was not furnished to defendant’s counsel until March 15th. The district attorney did not state in his place that, "the evidence sought to be presented is newly discovered evidence which the State was not aware of at the time of its furnishing the defendant with a list of the witnesses,” as is required by Code § 27-1403, which was amended by Ga. L. 1966, p. 430, 431. The district attorney merely stated that the witness came to his office and we talked with her and determined at that time she had sufficient evidence, and she would be needed as a witness in this case, and "Mr. Hughes was aware of her existence. ”

There was a total failure to comply with the statute, to wit, Code Ann. § 27-1403, supra. Defendant did not give his consent that the witness be used against him; and the district attorney did not state that the evidence was newly discovered. His statement that defendant’s counsel was "aware of her existence” adds nothing to the showing made by the state.

There was ample evidence to support a conviction without this witness; but the law must be strictly followed in order for the defendant to have a fair and impartial trial in accordance with law.

Judgment reversed.

Bell, C. J., Pannell, Deen, Quillian, Clark and Stolz, JJ., concur. Hall P. J., and Eberhardt, P. J., dissent.