Opinion
6 Div. 404.
June 12, 1973.
Appeal from the Circuit Court, Fayette County, Cecil H. Strawbridge, J.
Richard A. Thompson, Tuscaloosa, for appellant.
A verdict other than a general verdict must carry on its face a definite and precise meaning and must show just what the jury intended. Baldwin v. State of Tennessee, 213 Tenn. 49, 372 S.W.2d 188; Pate v. State, 19 Ala. App. 642, 99 So. 833; Allen v. State of Texas, 138 Tex.Cr.R. 303, 136 S.W.2d 232; Murray v. State, 48 Ala. App. 89, 261 So.2d 922.
William J. Baxley, Atty. Gen., and Sarah V. Maddox, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.
The judgment entry speaks absolute verity. Ex Parte McDermott, 244 Ala. 684, 141 So. 659; Keeton v. State, 280 Ala. 140, 190 So.2d 694; Harris v. State, 44 Ala. App. 632, 218 So.2d 285. No judgment may be reversed unless it appears that the error complained of was prejudicial to the substantial rights of accused. Supreme Court Rule 45, Appendix, Title 7, Code of Alabama 1940, Recompiled 1958.
Pursuant to verdict, the court below adjudged Swindle guilty of burglary in the second degree, or grand larceny, or buying, receiving, etc., stolen goods. A single sentence of ten years imprisonment was pronounced.
I
Whether or not the disjunctive verdict was void for ambiguity we need not decide. First, the single sentence obviates any question such as that presented in Wildman v. State, 42 Ala. App. 357, 165 So.2d 396.
Second, defense counsel interposed no objection to the reception of the verdict. See Thomas v. State, 2 Md. App. 645, 236 A.2d 747.
In Baldwin v. State, 213 Tenn. 49, 372 S.W.2d 188, there was a two-count indictment. The verdict was alternative. We quote in part:
"We think that this verdict is so unintelligible as to render it invalid. One can only speculate on what the jury intended to do in this case; and no evidence of their intention can be gleaned from the punishment imposed since the maximum for both crimes is five (5) years in the penitentiary. * * *
"In holding that this verdict is invalid because of indefiniteness, we are not unaware of our decisions in which we have held that the disjunctive 'or' may, in some cases, be properly interpreted to mean the conjunctive 'and'. * * *
* * * * * *
"The form of the verdict was not objected to at the trial nor was it assigned as error on this appeal. However, we think that the nature of the error brings this case within the decision of First National Bank of Elgin, Ill. v. Russell, 124 Tenn. 618, 139 S.W. 734 (1911), where this Court said:
" 'It is well settled, however, under our practice, that when necessary to meet the ends of justice, this court has the right to notice, and will notice, errors of the lower court, and, when the error is very plain, will correct it of its own motion.' (Emphasis ours.)"
Thus, if we rely on Baldwin, supra, we should reverse for reception of an ambiguous, if not anomalous, verdict. Certainly, in the words of Ervin, J., in State v. Albarty, 238 N.C. 130, 76 S.E.2d 381, the verdict here in question "is not sufficiently definite and specific to identify the crime of which the defendant is convicted."
II
We find it necessary to reverse the judgment for the refusal of Charge 37A requested in writing by the appellant. This charge reads:
"37a. The Court charges the jury that the fact that the Defendant did not testify in this case cannot be considered in determining the Defendant's guilt or innocence.
"No inference or conclusion should be drawn by the jury from the fact that the Defendant, Thomas Swindle, was not sworn and put on the witness stand as a witness in his own behalf, nor should this fact have any weight with the jury in reaching a verdict."
Here the defendant did not testify. Hence, the charge is not abstract under the evidence. Nor did any other instruction, general or specific, refer to the right of the defendant not to take the stand.
On authority of Salvadori v. State, 33 Ala. App. 372, 33 So.2d 752 the judgment below is reversed and the cause remanded for venire de novo.
See discussion in Boggs v. State, 270 Ala. 209, 116 So.2d 903.
Reversed and remanded.
All the Judges concur.