People v. Lewis , 127 Cal. 207 ( 1899 )

Defendant was charged with and convicted of the crime of obtaining money by false pretenses, and he appeals from the judgment, from the order denying his motion for a new trial, and from an order denying his motion in arrest of judgment. At the oral argument the attorney general stated that he was satisfied that if, under the evidence, the appellant was guilty of any crime, it was that of larceny and not of obtaining money under false pretenses, and thereupon he confessed error. Counsel for appellant, however, contended that there were questions arising out of the evidence, and out of the admissibility of certain evidence, which should be determined here for the benefit of the lower court upon another trial; and thereupon the cause was submitted. Section 1110 of the Penal Code provides that where the false pretense is not evidenced by writing it must be proven by the testimony of two witnesses, or that of one witness and corroborating circumstances. In this case there was no written evidence and the testimony to the false pretenses was that of one witness alone; and appellant contends: 1. That there were no such corroborating circumstances as the law contemplates; and 2. That the court erroneously admitted certain evidence touching the matter of corroboration; and these are the questions which he asks to have determined. But upon further consideration of the case it is evident that it will not be tried again upon the present charge, and that therefore these are merely moot questions not calling for determination.

Upon the confession of error of the attorney general the judgment and orders appealed from are reversed.