People v. Klein

The defendants were tried to the court, sitting without a jury, upon an information charging the violation of section 337a of the Penal Code. The second and third counts of the information charging the recording and making of bets were dismissed. Both defendants were convicted on the first count charging a violation of subdivision 2 of the section and have separately appealed on the same transcript and briefs.

The cause was tried by stipulation upon a certified copy of the transcript of the proceedings before the committing magistrate. Two police officers testified to the facts of their investigation and arrest of the defendants. No other testimony was taken. Neither defendant took the stand as a witness.

The evidence showed the customary set up of a cigar

The evidence was sufficient in all respect to support the verdicts. (People v. Hinkle, 64 Cal.App. 375 [ 221 P. 693 ]; People v. Manning, 37 Cal.App.2d 41 [ 98 P.2d 748 ]; People v. Steinfeld, 38 Cal.App.2d 280 [ 101 P.2d 89 ] ; People v. Roche, 68 Cal.App.2d 665 [ 157 P.2d 440 ]; People v. Partee, 70 Cal.App.2d 736 [ 161 P.2d 586 ] and People v. Brown, ante, p. 166 [ 162 P.2d 300 ].)

The appellants argue that the informations were defective because they did not contain full copies of the “books and papers” seized. They cite some ancient authorities holding that when a written document is relied on by the prosecution it must be pleaded either verbatim or in substance. The appellants have overlooked the amendment to section 952 of the Penal Code, enacted in 1927, and permitting the pleading of a criminal offense in the language of the statute. Here the offense charged was the keeping of a room with the books, papers, and paraphernalia “for the purpose of recording . . . bets.” The gist of the offense is the occupation of the room. The information is in the words of the statute, and is sufficient under section 952. People v. Pierce, 14 Cal.2d 639 [ 96 P.2d 784 ],

Appellants argued that the “corpus delicti” was not proved, and rely upon People v. Fisk, 32 Cal.App.2d 26 [ 89 P.2d 142 ] and People v. Newman, 37 Cal.App.2d 627 [ 99 P.2d 1067 ]. The reviewing courts have consistently refused to follow the narrow rule of both of those cases. (See People v. Newland 15 Cal.2d 678 , 685 [ 104 P.2d 778 ]; People v. Smith, 35 Cal.App.2d 73 , 76 [ 94 P.2d 633 ]; People v. Mooney, 57 Cal.App.2d 1 , 4 [ 133 P.2d 853 ]; People v. Mix, 41 Cal. App.2d 177 [ 106 P.2d 21 ]; People v. Hart, 46 Cal.App.2d 230 , 233 [ 115 P.2d 546 ].) It should be noted that the Fisk case was a prosection under subdivision 2 of section 337a

Appellants assign error in the admission in evidence of the testimony of the two police officers concerning the customary paraphernalia used by those engaged in bookmaking, and identifying the books, papers, records and paraphernalia taken from their possession at the time of their arrest. They cite People v. Zammora, 66 Cal.App.2d 166 [ 152 P.2d 180 ] and People v. Davis, 47 Cal.App.2d 331 [ 117 P.2d 917 ]. There is nothing in the Zammora case applicable to the question here presented. The rule of the Davis case was rejected by the Supreme Court in People v. Newman, 24 Cal.2d 168 , 176 [ 148 P.2d 4 , 152 A.L.R. 365 ], upon the point for which it is cited here. People v. Hinkle, 64 Cal.App. 375 , 378 [ 221 P. 693 ]; People v. Hatfield, 77 Cal.App. 212 , 218 [ 246 P. 95 ] and People v. Derrick, 85 Cal.App. 406 , 408 [ 259 P. 481 ], were all cited in the Newman case as supporting the contrary holding that the arresting officers were qualified by experience to testify as to the significance of the markings and entries in the books and papers taken from the possession of the accused, as they were used by those engaged in bookmaking, and also to testify as to the customary methods and equipment of the places used for that purpose. (See, also, People v. Pruitt, 55 Cal.App.2d 272 [ 130 P.2d 767 ]; People v. Bateman, 57 Cal.App.2d 585 [ 135 P.2d 192 ].)

It is argued that the court erred in permitting a police officer to testify that while he was in the room he

Finally appellants argue, but not too seriously, that there is some hint of double jeopardy in that the information was framed in three counts, that counts two and three were dismissed before trial on count one, and that such dismissal effected an acquittal as to count one. Appellants rest their argument on a false premise. The record of the trial proceedings of March 22, 1945, shows: “Thereupon the Court made an order finding each of the Defendants Guilty to the charge contained in count one of the Information.

“Thereupon the Court, upon motion of the District Attorney, made an order dismissing counts two and three as to each Defendant.” From the record it appears that the dismissal of counts two and three was made after the trial.

But the three counts of the information were separately based upon subdivisions two, four, and six respectively of section 337a of the Penal Code each of which specifies a separate and distinct offense in relation to bookmaking. If

The judgments and orders are affirmed.

Dooling, J., concurred.