Case Name: Commonwealth v. John Lawson
Court: Kentucky Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Kentucky
Decision Date: 1878-09-03
Citations: 9 Ky. Op. 932
Docket Number: 
Parties: Commonwealth v. John Lawson.
Judges: 
Reporter: Kentucky Opinions, containing the unreported opinions of the Court of Appeals
Volume: 9
Pages: 932–932

Head Matter:
Commonwealth v. John Lawson.
Criminal Law — Disturbing a Sunday School.
The statute only makes it an offense to disturb persons assembled together when the disturbance is wilful, that is, acts done with a view of disturbing those assembled. It is but a conclusion of law to charge that the accused unlawfully disturbed the assemblage.
APPEAL FROM WOLFE CIRCUIT COURT.
September 3, 1878.
Moss, for appellant.

Opinion:
Opinion by
Judge Pryor:
This indictment is for disturbing those engaged in conducting a Sunday school. The improper and boisterous language may have been used in ignorance of the fact that the persons were assembled at the church, or with no intention of disturbing the school. The statute makes it an offense only when the disturbance is wilful, that is, done with a view of disturbing those assembled. That the party unlawfully disturbed the assemblage is but a conclusion of law. The loud noise must have been made for the purpose of disturbance, if not, there was no violation of the statute.
Judgment affirmed.