Case Name: Green McDowell v. The State
Court: Mississippi Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Decision Date: 1890-10
Citations: 68 Miss. 348
Docket Number: 
Parties: Green McDowell v. The State.
Judges: 
Reporter: Mississippi Reports
Volume: 68
Pages: 348–348

Head Matter:
Green McDowell v. The State.
Larceny. Indictment. Evidence. Variance.
If an indictment for larceny alleges ownership of the property in one person, and the proof shows ownership in such person jointly with another, there can he no conviction.
FROM tbe circuit court of Coahoma county.
Hon. George Winston, Judge.
The opinion sufficiently shows the point decided.
Hu ales Yerger, for appellant.
Ownership of the property stolen must be proved as laid in the indictment. If laid in several, proof of ownership in one is insufficient. 2 Bish. Cr. Pro. § 723; Murphy v. State, 24 Miss. 594.
T. M. Miller, attorney-general, for the state. ■
The property was in the possession of Weathersby, and he owned at least a half interest in it. It was right to lay ownership in him. 2 Buss, on Cr. 160. Should appellant be again indicted, he could plead autre fois convict.

Opinion:
Cooper, J.,
delivered the opinion of the court.
The judgment in this cause must be reversed because of the variance between the averment in the indictment and the evidence in relation to the ownership of the property stolen. There is conflict between the state's witnesses as to whether the cotton stolen belonged to Weathersby (in whom, the property is laid in the indictment) or to Weathersby and one Lowe, as joint owners.
The 3d and 4th instructions for the state informed the jury that it might convict if the evidence showed that the defendant stole the cotton and that Weathersby owned or had an undivided interest therein. This was error. In larceny, ownership must be proved as laid, and where two or more persons own the property stolen, the allegation in the indictment must be according to the fact. Wharton's American Cr. Law, § 1833 ; Com. v. Trimmer, 1 Mass. 476; State v. McCoy, 14 N. H. 364; 12 Am. & Eng. Ency. of Law, 863, citing 35 Texas, 691; 74 N. C. 272; 3 S. C. 16; 4 McCord (S. C.), 16. Judgment reversed.