Case Name: State v. Lester Abbott
Court: Vermont Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Vermont
Decision Date: 1848-04
Citations: 20 Vt. 537
Docket Number: 
Parties: State v. Lester Abbott.
Judges: 
Reporter: Vermont Reports
Volume: 20
Pages: 537–538

Head Matter:
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.

Opinion:
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.