ROBERT B. HADDOCK
v.
STATE

Fla. | 1935-10-09
Whitfield, C. J., arid Terrell, Buford and Davis, J. J., concur.
121 Fla. 167 Florida Supreme Court (1935) Caution
Also reported at: 163 So. 482
Cited by 23 cases

AI-generated. These summaries, headnotes, and key points are machine-generated and may contain errors or omissions. Always verify against the full opinion text below. Not legal advice.

Synopsis

Robert Haddock appeals his conviction for second-degree murder, challenging the trial court's ruling that denied him the closing argument to the jury because he introduced a map as evidence. The Florida Supreme Court reversed, holding that a map used to illustrate a defendant's testimony is part of that testimony and does not forfeit the defendant's right to closing argument under Florida law.


Holding

The court held that a map or diagram used by a defendant to elucidate and explain his own testimony is part of that testimony and does not constitute evidence separate from the defendant's testimony; therefore, the defendant did not forfeit his right to closing argument. The trial court erred in awarding the closing argument to the State.


Key Quotes

“In all criminal cases where the defendant offers no testimony in his own behalf, except his own, the attorney or attorneys for the defendant shall have the closing argument.”

This statutory provision gave Haddock the right to closing argument, which the trial court improperly denied.

Previewing 1 of 3 key quotes on this case — the court’s exact language, pinpointed for members.

Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence

Facts & Procedural History

Haddock was indicted for first-degree murder in Polk County, Florida, tried, and convicted of second-degree murder, receiving a twenty-year sentence. …

The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.

Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence

© FLexlaw, Inc. — AI-generated enrichments are proprietary. All rights reserved.


Opinion of the Court
Johnson, Circuit Judge.

Johnson, Circuit Judge.

The plaintiff in error, Robert B. Haddock, was indicted in Polk County, Florida, for murder in the first degree. He was tried in Polk County, Florida, and found guilty of murder in the second degree, and was sentenced to twenty years in the State prison.

His case is in this Court on writ of error.

*168The plaintiff in error makes ten assignments' of error. We do not deem it necessary to consider other than the third assignment.

The third assignment of error is: “The plaintiff in error contends that the Court erred in its ruling whereby the State was allowed the closing argument to the jury by the State Attorney on the trial of this' cause.”

The record discloses that the defendant testified in his own behalf, and that he called no other witnesses, or witness. In the progress of the defendant giving his testimony the following took place (quoting from the transcript) :

“Q. Here is one corner and here is another (indicating) and you live here and she lives here (indicating) — is that right ?

“A. Yes, I have a diagram here if that would help. (Taking paper from pocket.)

“Q. Let’s s'ee that.

“A. (Witness hands paper to Mr. Rogers.)

“Q. Doctor, what is the paper I am handing you?

“A. That’s a diagram of the vicinity of my home at the time.

“Q. Does that show the place where the shooting took place?

“A. It does.

“Q. Approximately what is the width of King Avenue?

“A. About — I wouldn’t say over eighteen or twenty feet from curb to curb.

“Q. How wide is Belmar Street?

“A. It is probably a foot or two wider than King — I wouldn’t be positive.

“Q. Can you point out your hous'e on that map and Mrs. Smith’s house on that map and the neighboring houses?

*169“Mr. Dye: We object to exhibiting the paper to the jury unless it is in evidence.

“Mr. Rogers : I will offer it in evidence.

“Q. Was the map drawn by you as you understood the location there of the houses and streets?

“A. Yes.

“Mr. Dye: We have no objection. The plot was received and filed in evidence as ‘Defendant’s Exhibit No. 1.’ ”

At the conclusion of the defendant’s testimony the State and the defendant both announced that they rested. Whereupon the following took place:

“The State Attorney then announced that inasmuch as the defendant had introduced a certain map or drawing portraying the scene of the shooting in this case, the relative positions of the parties, and the position of the automobile and the scene of the tragedy, which said drawing was evidence other than the testimony of the defendant; and that the defendant had lost the closing argument before the jury.

“The Court announced that he was familiar with the rule announced in the Crosby case and requested that said case be brought before the Court for study, and when the said case was brought into Court, the Court offered same to counsel for the defendant, who, at that time stated that he was' familiar with the rule that if the defendant offered any testimony other than the defendant’s own testimony, that he had lost the closing argument, and thereupon, he further stated that he thought the Court was right in his statement of the law and it might be that defendant had lost the closing argument.

“To which ruling of the Court, the defendant did, then and there, except.”

*170The record discloses that the State Attorney was' allowed to make the opening and closing argument before the jury.

The Court, later, in his order overruling defendant’s motion for a new trial recites:

“I further certify and recite in the record that at the closing of the testimony by the defendant after the defendant had rested, the State announced that it rested and thereupon Honorable Dewey A. Dye suggested to the Court that inasmuch as the defendant had introduced a certain map, or drawing portraying the scene of the shooting in this case, the relative positions of the parties, and the position of the automobile and the Scene of the tragedy, which said drawing was evidence other than testimony of the defendant; and that said defendant had lost the closing argument before the jury, and the Court announced that he was familiar with the rule announced in the Crosby case reported in 106 Southern, and requested that said case be brought before the Court for study, and when said case was brought into Court the Court offered Same to counsel for the defendant, who at the time stated that he was familiar with the rule that if the defendant’offered any evidence other than the defendant’s testimony, that he lost the closing argument and thereupon stated that he thought the Court was right in his position that the defendant had lost the closing argument; whereupon the State’s Attorney made the opening argument before the jury and the defendant answered, and the State’s Attorney closed the argument before the jury, and no further request was made for argument by the defendant.”

At the conclusion of the testimony, after both the State and the defendant had rested, the question as to whether the State or the defendant should have the closing argument to the jury was definitely put to the Court. The Court *171undoubtedly ruled that the State should have the closing argument, to which ruling the defendant did then and there except.

Section 8386, Compiled General Laws, 1927 (Sec. 6081 RGS) provides: “In all criminal cases where the defendant offers no testimony in his own behalf, except his own, the attorney or attorneys for the defendant shall have the closing argument.”

The trial Court, in ruling upon this question, invoked the ruling of the Supreme Court in the Crosby case (Crosby v. State, 90 Fla. 381; 106 Southern, 741).

The facts in the Crosby case are not parallel with the facts in the case at bar. In the Crosby case the defendant did not testify in his own behalf, neither did he offer any other witness to testify in his behalf. During the presentation of the State’s' case in chief one James A. McLean, a witness for the State, was on the stand. During his cross examination, or at the conclusion of his cross examination, defendant’s counsel asked him the question:

“Q. Now on the 11th day of November, 1924, you gave Carl Crosby your receipt, did you not?

“A. Yes.”

The receipt was produced, and without objection, was offered in evidence by the defendant; and was marked exhibit No. 5 for defendant. The receipt was for $204.19 and was signed “The McLean Realty Company by James' A. McLean, Sec-Treas.” The statute provides that if the defendant shall offer no testimony, other than his own, he shall be entitled to the closing argument to the jury. What is testimony and what is evidence?

As we see it testimony, in the trial of cases in court, is the act of presenting sworn statements, the submission of documents and other objects to prove or disprove matters in *172issue. Evidence consists of the sworn statements, documents or other objects relevant and material to prove or disprove matters in issue. In the Crosby case the receipt offered by the defendant was testimony other than his own. Whether it became evidence in the case is immaterial.

In the case at bar the defendant, Robert B. Haddock, produced a map or plat, which he testified was drawn by himself. He used this map or plat to elucidate and explain his oral testimony. Without objection the map or plat was admitted by the Court.

In the case of Adams v. State, 28 Fla. 511, this Court held: “A map, plan or picture, whether made by the hand of man or photography, if verified as' a true representation of the subject about which testimony is offered, is admissible in evidence to assist the jury in understanding the case. They are frequently formally admitted in evidence, and insofar as they are shown to be correct, are proper for the consideration of the jury, not as independent testimony, but in connection with other evidence, to enable the jury to understand and apply such evidence.

Likewise in the case of West v. State, 53 Fla. 78, this Court held to the same doctrine, citing a number of other Florida cases.

The map or plat drawn by the defendant and used by him in explaining his testimony was as much a part of his' testimony as was his spoken word.

The trial Court erred in refusing the defendant the closing argument to the jury. For this reason the judgment must be reversed and a new trial awarded.

Whitfield, C. J., arid Terrell, Buford and Davis, J. J., concur.


Cases With Similar Vibessemantic neighbors from the corpus


Citator

Cited By

  • Talley v. State, 160 Fla. 593 (Fla. 1948)
    …llant contends that the trial court erred in refusing the defendant-appellant’s counsel the opening and closing arguments to the jury under the provisions of Section 918.09, F.S.A.; Crosby v. State, 90 Florida 381, 106 So. 741, and Haddock v. State, 121 Fla. 167, 163 So. 482. We have studied the record and re-examined the authorities cited in light of' the contention made. It is true that the defendant below adduced no witnesses other than himself, but did offer and there was received in his behalf a photog…
  • Birge v. State, 92 So. 2d 819 (Fla. 1957)
    …umstances here presented was not sufficient to justify, denying to appellant the right to have his counsel close the -arguments. Actually th,e State does [*822] not contend that it was. Talley v. State, 160 Fla. 593, 36 So. 2d 201; Haddock v. State, 121 Fla. 167, 163 So. 482. In regard to the State’s insistence on appeal that the transcript of the trial record fails to show specifically at the conclusion of the evidence that appellant was not accorded the right to open and close, we are of the view that th…
  • Haddock v. State, 141 Fla. 132 (Fla. 1939)
    …ecord perfected and the case is here for review on eighty-six distinct assignments of error in the briefs presented or argued under nine separate questions. This case is here on the third writ of error. The case at bar is reported the first times in 121 Fla. 167, 163 So. 482; 129 Fla. 701, 176 So. 782. [*137] When the case was reversed by this Court and a mandate sent down, counsel for the defendant applied to the trial court for leave and authority to withdraw the plea of not guilty then appearing of recor…

Previewing 3 of 9 citing cases — full citator treatment, depth of discussion, and citing context are member features.

Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence

Authorities Cited

Full citator, related cases, and AI research tools

Open in FLexlaw