People v. Beech , 129 Mich. 622 ( 1902 )

Grant, J.

(after stating the facts). 1. The first question raised was upon the competency of Gracie Metz to testify. She was examined by the presiding judge privately and in open court, and was permitted to testify, under section 10215, 3 Comp. Laws. After being asked six times whether she would promise to tell the truth, she answered by a nod of her head. We think that the court was justified in permitting the prosecuting attorney to proceed with the examination. People v. Walker, 113 Mich. 369 (71 N. W. 641). But the question remains whether her testimony, as given, was competent, or should have been stricken out as wholly unworthy of any credit. A large part of the forenoon was spent by the prosecution with the witness in an almost fruitless attempt to elicit answers from her. She finally testified that she was lying on the bed on her back. She then refused for some time to answer any questions. Finally, when asked if respondent unbuttoned her drawers, she answered, “No.” After some time this question was put to her: “ Tell me whether or not your drawers were unbuttoned at the time. A. No; my drawers were not unbuttoned.” This was about all that was elicited from the witness during the examination before the noon recess, notwithstanding both the judge and the prosecuting attorney used every endeavor to induce the witness to answer, while her mother sat by her, and the same questions were repéated many times. During the noon recess the prosecuting attorney purchased a doll and some candy for her, upon her promise that she would answer the questions put to her, and tell what she knew about the transaction. In the afternoon she testified more readily, and then said that the assault was committed upon the floor of the-bedroom, and that the respondent unbuttoned her drawers, and, to use her language, “played with my hind end.” Upon cross-examination she absolutely refused to answer many questions, and on re-direct examination flatly refused to answer questions which were very material; and, when the question was put to her by the prosecuting attorney, “Well, you said you -would tell what you knew about it if I would get that doll, didn’t you?” she answered, “I want more candy; candy is good.” And, when asked repeatedly why she would not answer the questions, the only reply was, “Because.”

We dislike to interfere with the discretion and ruling of the circuit judge in a matter of this kind, but we cannot resist the conclusion that such testimony is incompetent, and ought not to be considered where a man is on trial for a charge of such a heinous character that, if guilty, he should be sent to State prison for life. The only evidence in this case upon which this respondent can be convicted is given by two witnesses too young and ignorant to comprehend an oath, and one of whom gave no testimony tending to establish guilt until a promise to speak was elicited from her by giving her presents. Their statements do not agree; and, as already shown, the principal witness repeatedly contradicts herself in the most material matters. We think the testimony of this witness should have been eliminated from the case. It is due to the prosecuting attorney to say that he acted in the utmost •good faith, and with no desire to do anything approaching •impropriety, or to elicit anything but the truth. This is admitted by counsel for respondent. But, notwithstanding this, we think the testimony so obtained, and so contradictory, is too unreliable to be used to convict a man of so heinous a crime.

2. The name of the mother was not indorsed upon the information as a witness. When the people rested their case, the respondent’s attorneys, for some unexplained reason, demanded that the prosecution put the mother upon the stand. The prosecuting attorney did this, and examined her as his own witness. She was permitted to testify to what Gracie told her the next day about the details of the transaction; and not only that, but was also permitted to testify to what the boy 3 years and 1 month old said to his mother about it. The language the little boy used, if true, indicates the depravity, ignorance, and filth of those of this household. She testified that on the following day the little boy said to her, “Mamma, Sam was playing with little Gracie’s hind end today.” The testimony of the mother as to what the boy said was incompetent, and in a criminal case of this character this court will not stop to consider whether the objection to it conformed to the technical.rules of practice or not. Upon the question of the admissibility of the mother’s testimony to what her daughter said to her on the following day we express no opinion.

3. Counsel for respondent preferred the following request :

“The undisputed evidence in this case shows that, if this offense was committed by the defendant at all, it was committed on the afternoon of January 26, 1901, before Silas Metz and Gracie’s father and mother returned home, at between 4 and 5 o’clock in the evening, and while the undisputed proof shows that David Beech and Frank Metz were at the same house; and, if you have any reasonable doubt about its having been committed by the defendant at that time, you must acquit him. You must not convict him on the theory that he committed the offense at any other time, because there is no evidence tending to show that he committed the offense at any other time.”

This was refused, and evidently upon the theory that there was evidence from which the jury might infer that the crime was committed in the forenoon, rather than in the afternoon. It is admitted that the witnesses Beech and Metz were present all the afternoon, and were there when Mr. and Mrs. Metz returned. Inasmuch as a new trial is ordered, it is not necessary to examine the record to determine the question of fact involved in the request. We mention it only in view of a new trial. If the only evidence was that the crime was committed in the afternoon, then the request should have been given; for it is manifest that it was not committed while the witnesses Beech and Metz were there. This question may become important upon a new trial.

Conviction reversed, and new trial ordered.

Hooker, C. J., Moore and Montgomery, JJ., concurred. Long,'J., did not sit.