Summary
In Crowell v. State, 233 Ala. 201, 171 So. 267, the evidence for the State tended to show that Sam Pilato, after being shot, was taken to the hospital, and at the hospital he declared, in the presence of his sons, Sam, Jr., Vince Pilato, and his son-in-law, Frank Damico, that the defendant shot him. Two of these witnesses testified that Sam Pilato stated at the time that, "I am just about gone," or, "I am half dead."
Summary of this case from Nicholson v. StateOpinion
6 Div. 921.
December 3, 1936.
Appeal from Circuit Court, Jefferson County; J. Q. Smith, Judge.
Hollis Parrish, Jr., of Birmingham, for appellant.
Dying declarations are admitted on the theory that declarant's consciousness of impending dissolution removes all motive for making false statements. Lewis v. State, 231 Ala. 211, 164 So. 92; Ward v. State, 78 Ala. 441; Sullivan v. State, 102 Ala. 135, 15 So. 264, 48 Am.St.Rep. 22.
A. A. Carmichael, Atty. Gen., for the State.
Brief did not reach the Reporter.
The appellant was indicted by a grand jury selected and impaneled by the circuit court of Jefferson county, charging him with the offense of murder in the first degree, in that he "unlawfully, and with malice aforethought, killed Sam Pilato by shooting him with a pistol," and on the trial of the case he was convicted of murder in the first degree and his punishment was fixed at death.
The verdict on which judgment was entered was in due form. Ruff v. State, 229 Ala. 649, 159 So. 94.
The appellant is represented by counsel and only urges error in the admission of a dying declaration within the exception to the hearsay rule. The predicate therefor was within the rule of our cases, and sufficient to submit the question of guilt vel non to the jury. Lewis v. State, 231 Ala. 211, 164 So. 92; Ward v. State, 78 Ala. 441; Kilgore v. State, 74 Ala. 1.
The record has been carefully examined, and no reversible error is presented. The evidence duly supported the verdict returned, and on which sentence was pronounced and judgment entered.
The date fixed for the execution of the sentence of the law having passed, it is ordered and adjudged that Friday, January 29, 1937, be and the same is hereby, fixed as the date upon which the sentence will be executed as provided by law.
Affirmed.
All the Justices concur.