Case Name: Ryan v. The State
Court: Supreme Court of Indiana
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Decision Date: 1875-11
Citations: 52 Ind. 167
Docket Number: 
Parties: Ryan v. The State.
Judges: 
Reporter: Indiana Reports
Volume: 52
Pages: 167–167

Head Matter:
Ryan v. The State.
'CRIMINAL Law.—Assault and Battery.—Evidence.—If an indictment for an assault and battery allege that the battery was committed with a certain instrument, proof that it was done with a different instrument will be sufficient.
From the Martin Circuit Court.
J. Baker, for appellant.
C. A. Buskirk, Attorney General, for the State.

Opinion:
Pettit, J.
— Indictment for assault and battery. The charging part of the indictment is this:
" Did then and there, at the county of Martin, in the State of Indiana, in a rude, insolent and angry manner, unlawfully touch, beat, bruise and strike one William N. Wag-goner; and did, then and there unlawfully .shoot, strike and wound him, the said William N. Waggoner, with a gun loaded with powder and leaden shots, which," etc.
The evidence shows that the battery was committed with a stone, and not with a gun, as alleged in the indictment; and the only question in the case is, does the evidence warrant a conviction on the indictment?
There is no necessity, in an indictment for an assault and battery, to describe the instrument with which the battery was committed; but if this is done, it is sufficient to prove that it was done with a different instrument, and this will not be a variance. 2 Bishop Crim. Proced., sec. 514; 1 Greenl. Ev., sec. 65.
The judgment is affirmed, at the costs of the appellant.