Case ID: blackf_6/html/0040-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Blackford, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The State v. Scaggs and Others.
    Biot.—If three or more persons do an unlawful act of violence—as if they violently and unlawfully burst open the door of another person’s dwelling-nouse, &c., the offense is indictable under the statute.
    ERROR to the Morgan Circuit Court.
   Blackford, J.

Indictment for a riot. First count: That James Scaggs, jun., Thomas Boaggs, William Huff, and Jackson Trent, late of, &c., labourers, on, &c., at, &c., with force and arms, in a riotous, violent, and unlawful manner, *did then and there violently and unlawfully burst open the outer door of the dwelling-house of one Thomas Smith, situate, &c., and did then and there tear down and carry off one of the window-shutters of and from said dwelling-house; contrary to the form of the statute, &c. Second count: That said James Boaggs, jun., Thomas Boaggs, William Huff, and Jaokson Trent, late of, &c., yeomen, on, &c., at, &c., did then and there actually do an unlawful act of violence in a violent and tumultuous manner, by tben and there unlawfully and violently taking away a certain window-shutter, and bursting open the door to a certain dwelling-house, situate, &e., and then and there owned and occupied by one Thomas Smith; and by then and there throwing clubs, ’stones, and brick-bats on and against said house, and by then and there committing an assault on said Thomas Smith; contrary to the form of the statute, &c.

H. O’Neal, for the State.

II. Brown, for the defendants.

The Circuit Court, on the defendant’s motion, quashed the indictment.

The statute upon which this indictment is founded, says, “ that if three or more persons shall actually do an unlawful act of violence, either with or without a common cause or quarrel, or even do a lawful act in a violent and tumultuous manner, they shall be deemed guilty of a riot; and upon conviction,” &c. Rev. Stat., 1838, p. 213.

We think that, under this statute, both the counts of the indictment are good.

Per Ouriam.—The judgment is reversed with costs. Cause remanded, &c.