Payne v. People

In the early morning hours of August 24, 1941, Mott, a white man, was a guest in a cafe in that section of the city of Denver inhabited and frequented almost entirely by colored people. Defendant, Hooper and Jones, all colored, were there together. Mott had apparently disclosed the possession of money and a watch. When he left, the others followed, defendant considerably in advance. She shortly overtook him, asked and obtained a light for her cigarette, and engaged him in conversation on the subject of prospective immoral relations. They entered an alley where the discussion was interrupted by the appearance on the scene of Hooper and Jones who attacked Mott, knocked him down, beat his head against the pavement, and robbed him of his watch and a billfold containing five dollars. Defendant stood near by during the attack and thereafter the assailants accompanied her to her room. Later the five dollars was divided and the watch broken up by defendant and scattered by the others. Mott was found unconscious in the alley about 3:30 a.m. following, and taken to a hospital where he died that evening. We omit many collateral facts, all pointing to defendants guilt. The evidence amply supported the verdict.