Stuart

People v. Stuart

Good Law
168 Cal. App. 2d 57
Court of Appeal of CaliforniaFebruary 17, 1959Crim. No. 3490California1,614 words

Opinion

Opinion

Defendant appeals from a judgment of conviction of abortion after jury verdict and from the order denying new trial.

Question Presented

1. Was cross-examination of defendant as to other abortions by means of pessaries proper?

2. Alleged error in instruction to disregard arguments and statements of counsel.

3. Alleged misconduct of district attorney.

Facts

As no contention is made that the evidence does not support the verdict the evidence will not be detailed in full. The prosecuting witness, Pat, a 21 year old burlesque entertainer, testified that she went to the office of defendant (a chiropractor) and told him that she was pregnant and wanted to get rid of it. He ministered to her but performed no actual operation. She returned the next day and he inserted air into her womb to induce the abortion. This resulted in what was diagnosed at the hospital to which she later went, as an incomplete abortion. She paid defendant $90 for the operation.

One Lois testified to defendant performing a similar operation to abort her, after on two different occasions fitting her with a pessary which did not accomplish results.

Defendant denied attempting an abortion on Pat,…

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