People v. Thomas

Appellant was engaged in a fight on July 11, 1966, with one Edward “Toughy” Ballard who died that date as a result of knife wounds inflicted by appellant, who was charged with his murder. At trial he was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, a lesser and included offense. On this appeal, appellant asserts four grounds for reversal.

I. Did The Trial Court Err In Excluding Evidence Of Other Eights Involving Deceased ?

A witness who did not see the fight, called by the defense, testified he had fought before with “Toughy.” When asked by defense counsel how many times, a prosecution objection was sustained. Citing present Evidence Code section 1103, appellant urges us to hold the exclusion of evidence was erroneous.

Trial of the case took place in October 1966, nearly three months before the Evidence Code became effective, namely, on January 1, 1967. Under section 1103, where offered by defendant in a criminal action, evidence of the character or a trait of character of the victim may be admissible to prove conduct of the victim in conformance with such character or trait; the proof may consist of reputation or opinion evidence or of specific instances of conduct. Before the enactment of section 1103, however, evidence of specific acts was inadmissible for such purpose. (People v. Rowland (1968) 262 Cal.App.2d 790 , 797-798 [ 69 Cal.Rptr. 269 ]; People v. Davis (1965)

Likewise, and as to appellant’s claim of self defense, the evidence was properly excluded. Thus, where a defendant claims to have been in fear of a deceased victim, his mental state would be relevant arid his awareness of the deceased’s pugnacious character or of specific acts of prior belligerence would tend to show the reasonableness of his fears. Here, there was no evidence that appellant saw, had been told of or was otherwise made aware of any earlier fight or fights involving “Toughy.” Such situation is readily distinguishable from that in People v. Mathis (1965) 63 Cal.2d 416 , 430 [ 46 Cal.Rptr. 785 , 406 P.2d 65 ], People v. Davis, supra, p. 656, and in the later decision of People v. Smith (1967) 249 Cal.App.2d 395 , 404-405 [ 57 Cal.Rptr. 508 ], all cited and relied upon by appellant.

Finally, when objection to the question was sustained, no offer of proof was made to tell the trial court or us what the answer would have been, if allowed. The witness was asked, “Have you ever had a fight with Toughy?” and answered, “Yes.”.. As to the next' question, “On more than one occasion?” objection was sustained. “[1] The asking of questions, unless they disclose the proof expected to be adduced, is not the equivalent of an offer of proof.” People v. Danielly (1949) 33 Cal.2d 362 , 376 [ 202 P.2d 18 ], (And see also: People v. Ratten (1940) 39 Cal.App.2d 267 , 270-271 [ 102 P.2d 1097 ]; People v. Asta (1967) 251 Cal.App.2d 64 , 76 [ 59 Cal. Rptr. 206 ].) The question asked, “On more than one occasion?” does not reveal if the answer would have been “Yes” or “No.” Furthermore, the trial court was not advised what the evidence would be concerning any other fight and, for aught known, it might have disclosed that the witness, and not “Toughy,” was the aggressor.

For the foregoing reasons, we find no error in the court’s ruling.

II. Did The Trial Court Err In Excluding Prof erred Testimony Of Appellant Regarding His Conduct After The Eighth

After testifying on direct examination that the fight ended, that “Toughy” went.inside the house and that appellant went to the window, looked in and saw “Toughy” lying on the floor, he was asked:

‘ ‘ Q. Did you go in then ? A. Yes.

1 ‘ Q. Did you try to help him ? A. Yes.

“Q. What did you do in that respect ? ’ ’

In People v. Lookadoo (1967) 66 Cal.2d 307 , 311 [ 57 Cal. Rptr. 608 , 425 P.2d 208 ] the court states: “ [2] Although the trial court in a criminal ease is not required to explain to a defendant the nature and consequence of his action in waiving a jury trial where he is, as in the ease at bar, represented by counsel and fails to show that either he or his counsel has been misled .as to the result which might occur from his waiving a jury trial. ...”

The rule applying to a contention so made on appeal is succinctly stated in People v. Jones (1965) 232 Cal.App.2d 379 wherein the court says (pp. 388-389 [ 42 Cal.Rptr. 714 ]) : “[4] After conviction, all intendments are in favor of the judgment and the verdict will not be set aside unless the record clearly shows that upon no hypothesis whatever is there sufficient substantial evidence to support it.” This rule applies also to non jury trials. (People v. Gunn (1959) 170 Cal.App.2d 234 , 238-239 [ 338 P.2d 592 ]; People v. Johnson (1960) 187 Cal.App.2d 116 , 121-122 [ 9 Cal.Rptr. 571 ]; People v. Swanson (1962) 204 Cal.App.2d 169 , 172-173 [ 22 Cal.Rptr. 178 ].)

The evidence discloses a clear basis for disagreement with appellant’s position. Appellant and “Toughy” both slept at the home of a female friend the night before the stabbing. They had a few angry words that night and, again, the next morning at about 8 a.m. though no blows were struck. Later id the morning appellant was at the foot of an inside stairwáy talking with a woman friend when “Toughy” appeared at the top. He told appellant to stay out of his business. After a few more words, “Toughy” ran down the stairs at him. Appellant grabbed a broom and hit “Toughy” with it but it didn’t stop him. He kept coming and hit appellant who was frightened and ran outside where he backed up against a parked car. “Toughy” pursued him and appellant feared would seriously hurt him, so he pulled out his pocket knife and stabbed “Toughy” twice, once in the chest and once in the side. “Toughy” displayed no weapon of any sort.

Whether or not, pursuant to Penal Code section 197, appellant had reasonable grounds to believe his victim was about to commit a felony or do great bodily injury, ordinarily is a question of fact (People v. McAuliffe (1957) 154 Cal.App.2d 332 , 340 [ 316 P.2d 381 ]), and the reasonableness of his using a knife obviously capable of causing serious injury and death also is a question for the trier of fact. (People v. Young (1963) 214 Cal.App.2d 641 , 646 [ 29 Cal.Rptr. 595 ] : “. . . a justifiable homicide connotes only the use of force which is necessary, or which reasonably appears to be necessary, to

Here, the trial judge resolved these issues against appellant and we are bound by his findings in that respect.

■ The judgment of conviction is affirmed.

Files, P. J., and Kingsley, J., concurred.

Appellant’s petition for a hearing by the Supreme Court was denied April 9,1969.