People v. Quinones

STURTEVANT, J. The defendant was informed against by the district attorney, he entered a plea of not guilty and on the trial the jury returned a verdict against him. He made a motion for a new trial, but his motion was denied. He has appealed from the judgment and the order denying his motion.

By section 1 of chapter 339 of the Statutes of 1923, it is made a felony if any “ . . . person who within the state of California . . . possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slung-shot, billy, sand-club, sand-bag, or metal knuckles ...” In the instant case it was alleged that the defendant possessed “metal knuckles”. The first point made by the defendant is that the evidence does not establish the existence in this case of an “instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as metal knuckles”. This contention is based on the fact that the instrument introduced in evidence as defendant’s exhibit one, which has been certified up with the record, is not all metal. We have examined it. It is what [611]might be termed homemade. It consists of alternate strips of sheet lead and gum tape, making a set of knuckles somewhat in the shape of a bracelet and of size to fit over four finger knuckles. It will be conceded at once that the instrument is neither all metal nor is it all cloth. The excerpt quoted from the statute contains nothing showing that the words “metal knuckles” was intended by the legislature to refer to something that was entirely composed of metal. Similar statutes have been adopted in other jurisdictions. In those same jurisdictions it has been held that the name in the statute is used in a generic sense. (Patterson v. State, 3 Lea (71 Tenn.), 575; Harris v. State, 22 Tex. Crim. App. 677 [3 S. W. 477]; Louis v. State, 36 Tex. Crim. Rep. 52 [35 S. W. 377, 61 Am. St. Rep. 832].) One of the common English meanings of “knuckle”' is “a piece of metal, usually brass worn over the knuckles in order to protect them in striking a blow and to make the blow more effective”. (Cent. Dict.) If it be claimed that the expression needs the interpretation of an expert such interpretation was present in the instant ease. When Inspector McMahon, a policeman of many years’ experience, was on the stand, he was asked what he found in the room of the defendant. His answer was, “A pair of metal knuckles.” Under these circumstances we think the point may not be sustained.

It is next contended that the knuckle was not admissible because no testimony was introduced to prove it was the kind of instrument the possession of which is denounced by the law. As we understand the point it is that 'Inspector McMahon but expressed his conclusion when he designated the instrument found as “metal knuckles”. The claim is, in our judgment, ultra-critical and in the absence of a showing to the contrary it must be assumed that the inspector of the police department, when giving his testimony, merely stated facts and did not "express his conclusion.