The respondent was tried upon a joint indictment against him and four other respondents, charging them with assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to kill one Dwight Robinson.
At the close of the evidence, a directed verdict of not guilty *244was returned as to the other four respondents. No exceptions were reserved to the charge of the presiding Justice. Counsel for the respondents submitted in writing eighteen requests for instructions to the jury, all of which were substantially given, and counsel were afforded opportunity for further requests. A verdict of guilty was returned.
By a bill of exceptions the respondent undertakes to challenge the action of the trial court in the following matters:
1. Denial of motion for change of venue.
2. Denial of petition for removal of cause to United States District Court.
3. Denial of motion for severance and for separate trial.
4. Denial of motion for continuance.
5-10, inclusive. Exceptions to exclusion or admission of testimony of certain witnesses.
11-12. Exceptions to exclusion of certain exhibits offered.
13. Exception to denial of motion for instructed verdict.
14. Exception to denial of motion for new trial after verdict.
Exceptions four to ten, inclusive, were not argued or briefed, and counsel for the respondent, having informed the court that they were not relied upon, they are regarded as abandoned.
It becomes necessary to determine whether the procedure employed by exceptions thirteen and fourteen is effectual to bring forward for consideration the fundamental question of whether the evidence and the law of the case warranted conviction of the respondent.
At common law, the granting of a new trial in criminal cases rested wholly within the discretion of the presiding justice. In 1909 (P. L., Chap. 184) the legislature created a right of appeal in felony cases from the denial by the presiding justice of a motion for new trial after verdict. This statute is now embodied in R. S., Chap. 146, Sec. 27. In misdemeanors no appeal is provided and the decision of the presiding justice remains final. Here we have a felony case, but the procedure authorized *245and controlled by statute is by appeal from the decision of the presiding justice, not by exception to his ruling. Consequently, this Court is without jurisdiction to review a motion for new trial after verdict on exceptions to the refusal of the trial judge to grant such motion. State v. Kennison, 131 Me., 494, 160 A., 201.
No appeal having been taken, there arises the question whether the respondent may rely upon his exception to the refusal to direct a verdict. This method, judicially sanctioned, accomplished the result of obtaining a review by the Law Court. State v. Simpson, 113 Me., 27, 92 A., 898; State v. Bakerwicz, 119 Me., 122, 109 A., 392; State v. Lamont, 129 Me., 73, 149 A., 629.
But in State v. Simpson, supra, in which the respondent was charged with a misdemeanor, it was held that, if both methods were used, the last was a waiver of the first. The reason for this was that the exception to refusal of the presiding justice to direct a verdict brought the case to the Law Court to obtain its decision as to the sufficiency of the evidence. If, however, respondent after verdict presented a motion for a new trial to the presiding justice, he thereby submitted the same question to the final determination of the trial judge, and it would be inconsistent to have a question thus finally adjudicated later passed upon and decided by a separate and distinct tribunal. This rule of waiver has been affirmed in State v. Power, 123 Me., 223, 122 A., 572, involving misdemeanor; State v. DiPietrantonio, 119 Me., 18,109 A., 186; State v. O’Donnell, 131 Me., 294, 161 A., 802, and State v. Davis, 116 Me., 260, 101 A., 208, all felony cases. Upon careful consideration, it now appears to the Court that the reason for the rule as originally stated in the misdemeanor case of State v. Simpson, supra, does not obtain in felony cases. The statute, B,. S., Chap. 146, Sec. 27, by its fiat says that the decision of the presiding justice in felony cases on a motion for a new trial is not final and that respondent may, by appeal, submit the question to the Law Court. Exceptions to refusal of directed verdict accomplish *246precisely the same result. Therefore, in felonies, two methods are available to bring the issue to the attention of the appellate tribunal. Both are not necessary. It should not follow, however, that if there be error in perfecting the second method, it is fatal to the first.
It is now expressly held that the doctrine of. waiver under such circumstances does not apply in felony cases. This effects a change in a rule of procedure. It may be noted, however, that the Court has never allowed a failure to comply with the former rule as laid down in State v. Power, supra, State v. DiPietrantonio, supra, State v. O’Donnell, supra, and State v. Davis, supra, to affect the rights of a respondent but has repeatedly considered the evidence to determine whether injustice would result therefrom.
It may be further noted in the opinion in State v. Sim'pson, supra, the court adverted to another rule announced in four early Maine cases but which has long since been modified with judicial sanction in felony cases. The statement reads:
“This court has frequently held both in criminal and civil cases that the prosecution of a motion for new trial before the presiding Justice is a waiver of all lights of exception,” citing State v. Call, 14 Me., 421; Cole v. Bruce, 32 Me., 512; Dinsmore v. Weston, 33 Me., 256; Ellis v. Warren, 35 Me., 125.
The last cited case was decided in 1852. Since the granting of appeals in all-felony cases, however, it has become established practice for the court to consider felony cases on both appeal and exceptions. Instances are found in State v. Friel, 107 Me., 536, 80 A., 1134; State v. Albanes, 109 Me., 199, 83 A., 548; State v. Howard, 117 Me., 69, 102 A., 743; State v. Brown, 118 Me., 164, 106 A., 429; State v. Mulkern, 118 Me., 477, 105 A., 177; State v. Sanborn, 120 Me., 170, 113 A., 54; State v. Dodge, 124 Me., 243, 127 A., 899; State v. Rogers, 125 Me., 515, 132 A., 521; State v. Wright, 128 Me., 404, 148 A., 141; State v. Morin, 131 Me., 349, 163 A., 102; State v. Dorothy, 132 Me., *247291, 170 A., 506; State v. Mosley, 133 Me., 168, 175 A., 307; State v. Cloutier, 134 Me., 269, 186 A., 604; State v. Sprague, 135 Me., 470, 199 A., 705; State v. Merry, 136 Me., 243, 8 A., 2d, 143.
In conformity to the rule as now adopted, the record has been carefully reviewed.
The picture presented is that of the activities and experiences of a group or sect, of which the respondent was one, known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. The situation, developed largely in recital by the defense, was, in effect, that the group first made its headquarters in Saco, Maine. The nature of the work carried on was the distribution of literature and magazines, house to house calls, with the playing of phonograph records and electrical transcriptions, and general dissemination of tenets and principles. In addition, there were study periods and conferences, meetings of workers and public gatherings. In Saco and later in Kennebunk, large signs were displayed upon the headquarters building, “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” “Religion is a Snare and a Racket.”
It became apparent that the methods used and the doctrines expounded met the disapprobation of some citizens, and aroused the ire of some members of the American Legion with particular reference to the attitude of the sect as to saluting the flag. It was asserted that the meeting place was subjected to acts of violence, including the throwing of rocks and defacement of the building, and that efforts were made to terrorize the group by threats of personal violence. It was claimed that repeated requests for police protection met with little favorable response. After some months, other headquarters were secured in an old building in Kennebunk, Maine, about ten miles from Saco. Here, comparative quiet existed for a short time, but again the fervor or militancy of the group aroused disfavor, and there were similar experiences as to the place of meeting and as to threats against the group. In addition, it was claimed that for a number of days several cars circulated around the building at various times with accompanying *248threats from the occupants. On Memorial Day there was a further demonstration. It was not shown that the individuals who composed the group at Kennebunk were personally assaulted, with one exception.The wife of the respondent claimed that on one occasion literature in her hands was wrested from her and torn up. The group consisted of both men and women and they met almost every evening in the headquarters. Upon their insistent demand to local, county and state police authorities, the locality was at times patrolled, and this had the temporary effect of dispersing the crowd. It was claimed warning was received by the group that, on the evening of Saturday, June 8, 1940, serious trouble might be expected. A number of the men thereupon brought shot guns, rifles and ammunition to the building. Several of the men were stationed at various points about the grounds in the vicinity, where their own persons were not exposed, and some of them were provided with loaded guns. Notwithstanding the warning, a number of women of the sect came to and remained in the building, which had previously been provided with arrangements for switching on flood lights over the area. During the evening, it was represented that there was a procession of cars, which continued at intervals until near midnight. Two of the state police patrolled the district from time to time until then and there were no outbreaks. Shortly after 2 a.m., following a lull of about two hours, an automobile containing four young men stopped somewhere in the road opposite the hall.
From this point, there is material variance in the testimony for the State and for the respondent. Narratively, the testimony of the occupants of the car was to the effect that each one had gone to an all-night diner in the business section of Kennebunk, a short distance away, but not by design or arrangement with the others. There were about a dozen other people in the diner. There was no discussion as to the affairs of the sect and no suggestion as to visiting the premises. After a time one of the four said he had a bottle of gin and asked the others if they would like to have a drink. They went out to the *249car, drove a short distance from the business center by Kingdom Hall and into a filling station yard, where three of the men drank the gin. They then started back. The owner of the car was not driving. Just after starting up, this owner said he would drive, and a passenger in the back seat also said that he needed to urinate. The driver stopped the car. The two men got out, one on the side toward Kingdom Hall and the other on the opposite side. Their testimony is that, while the owner of the car was in the act of closing the door, with his back towards Kingdom Hall, a volley of shots was fired. Two slugs penetrated his leg from the rear, one remaining imbedded, the other going through the knee, while a third burned the fiesh on the side of the leg. Later it became necessary to amputate the leg. The driver, who was still at the wheel, received a shot in the hip. The glass of the windshield was broken by the gun fire and the side of the car showed evidence of penetration of shots. Robinson, the man who had received the shots in the leg, in some way scrambled into the car, which immediately drove on without Nadeau, the man on the other side of the car. Nadeau scurried after the car without success, but soon found a protecting hedge, behind which he lay until daylight. Such witnesses for the defense as were on the scene agree that the fieet-ing form of a man was seen chasing the car, and that all parties, including state highway officers who shortly arrived, were concerned about his disappearance.
The divergence as to the facts of the incident by the witnesses in defense was principally to the effect that at least three men got out of the car, advanced towards the building, that one was heard to make threats of a general character, and that rocks were thrown by one or more of the men toward the building.
Respondents expressed the belief that the car was one which had been there on other occasions and earlier on the same night. The claim of identification was a “choking” or “coughing” sound of the motor. There was no other recognition of the car by make, appearance or license number. >
*250Mrs. Bobb testified that she had been instructed by her husband to switch on the flood lights when he called to her for the purpose, or when she heard shots. Hearing shots, the lights were turned on, and the men with the firearms testified that they saw the former occupants of the car rushing back toward it. Bobb, the present respondent, said that he did not aim at any of the men but that he shot at the car with the intent to hit the tires or otherwise disable it. While the night was dark, he had been stationed outside for hours and testified that his vision was adjusted to the darkness and he could see the men. There were lights on the car, though dimmed. Another one of the original respondents said that he shot up in the air in the direction of but higher than the car. There was no admission of shooting by any other respondent or witness, and one respondent asserted that he was armed only with a mop handle. Neither was it claimed that the alleged aggressors were provided with firearms or bludgeons but only with some rocks which they took from their pockets.
The defense was that there was lack of proof that the shots which struck Robinson were fired by Bobb; that the acts of all the members who were provided with firearms were legally justified in protection of their persons and that of their families and in protection of their property.
The record would justify the jury in finding that Bobb with Robinson in range of vision, fired directly at the side of the car where Robinson was standing, and that there was no positive evidence of a shot from any other firearm in that precise direction.
The court instructed the jury, inter alia, that it must determine whether, under the facts, danger was imminent or reasonably appeared to be so, and further, whether any possible assailant either had not advanced or else was retiring with 'his back to the respondents. The jury was further instructed that, if danger was not apparently imminent, the respondent would not be justified in shooting at retreating persons; that as to the asserted intent of Bobb simply to disable the car, the *251jury must further determine whether Robinson was within range of the gun fire, and whether that fact was apparent to the respondent, under the rule that a man is responsible for the natural consequences of his act.
The charge of the presiding Justice to the jury as to the applicable principles of law was concededly correct.
At the close of the State’s case, proof was lacking that this, respondent fired the shots which took effect in the person of Robinson. No request was made for a directed verdict at that time, and deficiency of proof in that respect was supplied by the defense. A number of witnesses testified at length.
A respondent has no cause for complaint that the proof adduced by the prosecution is insufficient where he himself furnishes the necessary evidence.’ State v. Joy, 130 Me., 519, 155 A., 34.
The question, therefore, is whether in view of all the testimony, the jury were warranted in believing beyond a reasonable doubt, and therefore in declaring by their verdict, that the respondent was guilty of the crime with which he was charged.. State v. Lambert, 97 Me., 51, 53 A., 879; State v. Priest, 117 Me., 223, 103 A., 359; State v. Papazian, 124 Me., 378, 130 A., 129.
Under this rule and upon the entire record the conclusion, of the jury was warranted that this respondent did commit an assault with intent to kill and that his defense of justification failed. The exception to denial of motion for directed verdict, must be overruled.
Exception to denial of motion for change of venue.
Although the docket entries do not clearly indicate the fact,, it was acknowledged by counsel on both sides that this matter was fully heard and argued. The statutory provision relating to change of venue, R. S., Chap. 96, Sec. 24, reads:
“Any justice of the superior court, while holding a nisi prius term, on motion of either party, shall, for cause. *252shown, order the transfer' of any civil action, or criminal. case, pending in said court, to the docket thereof in any . ■other county for trial, preserving all attachments.”
This statute is declaratory of the common law’ power of courts of general jurisdiction, to transfer cases from one county to another, when it was necessary to do so in'order to procure an impartial trial. State v. Donnell, 126 Me., 505, 140 A., 186.
As frankly admitted by counsel for the respondent, “the matter of change of venue rests in the- sound discretion of the court.” It appears from the entire record and information supplied by briefs of counsel, the only evidence presented was in the form of affidavits of four persons, two of whom were respondents.
Examination of these affidavits confirms the statement of the County Attorney in his brief, “Even if taken as true in their entirety, carefhl analysis of the affidavits filed by Respondent in support of said motion show, at most, sporadic acts of violence carried out by a few ‘hot-heads,’ but do not show widespread prejudice throughout the county such as would interfere with the obtaining of an impartial panel, or with the calm, orderly conduct of the trial.”
The motion for change of venue alleges that the Portland Press Herald of June 10 and the Boston Post of June 11 contained statements of an inflammatory nature tending to connect respondents with a foreign agency and to label them as spies. This allegation of cause for change of venue can not be considered because the newspaper articles are not made part of the record and the Court is entirely uninformed as to their actual contents, and further there is nothing in the record disclosing that public hostility was thereby aroused. It would appear, therefore, that the usual rule applies as to matters for determination, addressed to the judicial discretion of the presiding justice, and that his decision is final unless there is an abuse of discretion. The cases cited in State v. Donnell, supra, of Crocker v. Justices, 208 Mass., 162, 94 N. E., 369, 21 An. *253Cas., 1061; Cochecho R. R. v. Farrington, 26 N. H., 428; Stale v. Albee, 61 N. H., 423, 60 Am. Rep., 325, are applicable, and also State v. Chapman, 103 Conn., 453, 130 A., 899, 905. In the last cited case, the General Statutes, Sec. 6630, provide,
“The judge holding any term of the superior court may upon motion order any criminal case pending in such court to be transferred to the superior court in any other county,” 103 Conn., page 469.
Our statute is similar except that it actually specifies that it must be for cause shown. The court said, 130 A., 899, page 905; 103 Conn., page 470:
“The power is one to be exercised with caution, and rests in the court’s sound discretion, which is final, unless it appears clearly that it has exercised its discretion unreasonably, or, as it is often expressed, abused its discretion.”
“It is within the reasonable discretion of the trial court to grant a change of venue, when it clearly appears that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in the county where the venue is laid in the indictment. The burden of showing this is upon the mover of the change of venue.”
In Cochecho R. R. v. Farrington, supra, a civil case, the court said, page 445, that to require a change of venue on the ground that a fair trial cannot be had in the county, the fact alleged must be made conclusively to appear.
In Crocker v. Justices, supra, page 180, appears an interesting discussion of criminal processes, the right of accused to be tried by a jury of the vicinity and the correlative right to be tried elsewhere if only thus could an impartial tribunal be secured. The court concludes with the following:
“That this question never has been presented for determination before (1910) is strong proof that there has been no occasion for the exercise of that power. Such a *254motion ought not to be granted upon mere suggestion, nor unless the reason for it is fully established. It is a jurisdiction which should be exercised with great caution and only after a solid foundation of fact has been first established. Manifestly it should be resorted to only in aid of justice, and it should not be permitted to be employed as an instrument of obstruction or as a means of delay.”
There appears to be no abuse of discretion and this exception is without merit.
Exception to refusal to remove the case to the Federal Court.
Before the commencement of the actual trial but after the denial of the motion for a change of venue, a petition was presented in behalf of the then respondents for the removal of the case to the United States District Court under the provisions of Sec. 31 of the judicial code. (U. S. C. A., Title 28, Sec. 74.) The.allegations in support of the petition were, in effect, that by reason of conspiracy on the part of public officials under the influence of enemies of the respondents, they are denied the equal protection of the laws and a fair jury trial and cannot defend themselves and their property, their right of freedom of speech, of press and of assembly, and of freedom to worship Almighty God, all of which above named rights are secured to each of them by the Constitution and laws of the State of Maine. It was also alleged that respondents were being prosecuted for acts which they say were in the exercise of the right of self-defense and the defense of property, and if the prosecutions are permitted to stand, they will be deprived of their civil rights.
It was also asserted in the petition that it was impossible for the respondents to secure a fair trial because of prejudice and publicity given the case and further that the jury had been selected in such manner as to deprive the respondents of their liberty without due process of law. It appears, however,, that *255the last assertion is not relied upon as the jury at the time had not been selected.
Respondent appears to have taken no action in the Federal Court under Sec. 32 of the judicial code, which provides that, when all the acts necessary for removal have been taken, the District Court may remove the proceedings in term time or vacation by a writ of habeas corpus.
In presenting the petition there was misconception as to the scope and purpose of the invoked federal statute. It is only when the Constitution and laws of the state deny or prevent the enforcement of equal rights secured to a party to a cause by the Constitution or laws of the United States that the cause may be removed. Here the petition itself explicitly avers that all of the civil rights of the respondents are secured to them by the Constitution and laws of the State of Maine. Complaint of conspiracy, prejudice and adverse publicity cannot avail as ground for removal. Texas v. Gaines, 2 Woods (U. S.), 342, Fed. Cas. No. 13847; Ex p. Wells, 3 Woods (U. S.) 128, Fed. Cas. No. 17388; Kentucky v. Powers, 201 U. S., 1, 26 S. Ct., 387, 50 Law Ed., 633, 5 A. & E. Ann. Cas., 692 and note pp. 704-6; U. S. C. A. Title 28, Sec. 74 and notes of decisions thereunder pp. 545-50. This exception must be overruled.
EXCEPTION TO DENIAL OF MOTION FOR SEPARATE TRIALS.
The record shows that before trial and after denial of motion for continuance, an oral motion for severance was made, denied and exception taken. Reliance is placed in respondent’s brief on the opinion in Brady v. U. S. (Iowa) 39 F., 2d, 312. That case, however, is in full accord with the great weight of authority. It holds that the grant or denial of a motion for separate trials rests in the trial court’s discretion and is reviewable only for abuse; that a denial of separate trials when it is not clearly shown that defenses were necessarily antagonistic or that the defendants would be prejudiced by joint trial is not error; further that what constitutes abuse of discretion in denying separate trials depends upon the whole situation in *256each case. Here it is definitely shown that all of the respondents were engaged in a common enterprise. Their defense was that they were unitedly endeavoring to protect their persons and property and to repel invaders. The offense charged was committed when all were present. They were all witnesses for each other and for the present respondent. It was urged that this respondent was prejudiced when, at the close of the joint trial, the court instructed the jury to return not guilty verdicts as to the other respondents. The record, however, shows that the court used great care in instructing the jury with reference to this incident. The exception must be overruled on the ground that there was no abuse of discretion. U. S. v. Ball, 163 U. S., 662, 16 S. Ct., 1192, 41 L. Ed., 300; State v. Soper, 16 Me., 293, 33 Am. Dec., 665; State v. Conley, 39 Me., 78, at page 92; Commonwealth v. Bingham, 158 Mass., 169, 33 N. E., 341.
Exception to exclusion oe certain
PHOTOGRAPHS AS EXHIBITS.
All exceptions to the admission or exclusion of testimony are waived save as to certain photographs. Exhibits Nos. 10, 11 and 12 were photographs purporting to show some defacement of Kingdom Hall in Saco in October, 1939. Respondent was on trial for what occurred on June 9, 1940, a considerable time after the sect had transferred their activities to premises in Kennebunk. It was claimed that the exhibits were admissible to show the state of mind of the accused with respect to threatened attacks.
Exhibits Nos. 8 and 9 were two of a series of five photographs of Kingdom Hall in Kennebunk. One was withdrawn. Two, which were taken just before the events of June 9,1940, were admitted, while Nos. 8 and 9 were excluded. The record discloses that the reason for exclusion was because they were taken after the event, and portrayed a changed condition unconnected with that event.
The rule of practice is firmly established here as elsewhere, that the admission or exclusion of photographs is within the *257discretion of the court, not to be disturbed on exceptions unless abused. It is a general rule that photographs offered as exhibits must show conditions existing at the time of the occurrence. There is nothing to justify the finding of an abuse of discretion. Rodick v. M. C. R. R., 109 Me., 530, 534, 85 A., 41, and cases there reviewed.
Upon full consideration the court is satisfied that the respondent received a fair and impartial trial, that the exceptions show no prejudicial error, and that the verdict was justified.
Exceptions overruled.
Judgment for the State.