Case ID: ohio-law-abs_4/html/0553-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 672
    SOUTHARD v. STATE
    No. 19898.
    Supreme Court
    On motion to certify.
    Dock. June 16, 1926;
    4 Abs. 404.
    629. INDICTMENT — What must an indictment for murder perpetrated in the course of a robbery contain?
    Attorneys — L. Levy for Southard; J. C. Cochrane for State; both of Toledo.
   Pursuant to an indictment James H. Southard was convicted of first degree murder with a recommendation of mercy by the Lucas Com,mon Pleas which conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeals.

The indictment contained in part the following allegations:

- -' - - the grand jury do find - - - that James H. Southard---while attempting to perpetrate a robbery---did unlawfully and purposely kill and murder---Fred Wengert by shooting him 'with a pistol contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided---”.

Southard in the Supreme Court contends that the indictment was not sufficient for the following reasons:

1. Sufficient facts are not stated to show an attempt to commit a robbery.

2. The indictment is not framed with such certainty that a judgment may be pleaded in bar to any subsequent prosecution for the same offense.

3. The indictment does not state a positive charge against the accused and he is therefore uninformed fully concerning the crime with which he is charged.