Case ID: vt_20/html/0537-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Redfield, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

State v. Lester Abbott.
    An indictment for wounding “ a steer,” without an allegation, that a steer is “ cattle, or Least,” within the words of the statute, is sufficient.
    Indictment for wounding and maiming a certain “ red, three year old steer.” After a verdict of guilty, the respondent moved in arrest of judgment, for .the insufficiency-of the indictment; which motion was overruled by the court, April Term, 1845, — Redfield, J., presiding. Exceptions by respondent.
    - for respondent.
    
      C. Reed, state’s attorney.
   The opinion of the court was delivered by

Redfield, J.

The only question, raised in the present case, is in regard to the sufficiency of the indictment. It is for a violation of the statute against maiming, or wounding, cattle. The objection is, that the defendant is charged with wounding a steer, without alleging, that a steer is cattle, or other beast,” — which are the words of the statute. It is very possible, that some of the old cases may have adopted a degree of strictness, equal to this, even. But no modern case of this character existSj it is believed; but the contrary has often been decided.

Judgment that the defendant take nothing by his exceptions, or motion in arrest of judgment.