Case Name: THE STATE v. SKAGGS, Appellant
Court: Supreme Court of Missouri
Jurisdiction: Missouri
Decision Date: 1901-02-12
Citations: 159 Mo. 581
Docket Number: 
Parties: THE STATE v. SKAGGS, Appellant.
Judges: All concur.
Reporter: Missouri Reports
Volume: 159
Pages: 581–581

Head Matter:
THE STATE v. SKAGGS, Appellant.
Division Two,
February 12, 1901.
Instruction: “heat of passion:” fajxttee to define. The giving of an instruction which employs the term “heat of passion,” and fails to define the same, is error, and works a reversal of the judgment.
Appeal from Oregon Circuit Court. — Hon. W. N. Evans, Judge.
Reversed and remanded.
Green, Garnett & Meeks for appellant.
Edward O. Grow, Attorney-General, and Sam B. Jeffries, Assistant Attorney-General, for the State.

Opinion:
SHERWOOD, P. J.
This prosecution originated in a oharge of, and indictment for, murder in the first degree, resulted in a verdict of manslaughter in the fourth degree, and in punishment being assessed at two years in the penitentiary.
The name of the person killed was William Biggers; the lethal weapon used, a fire shovel. There were circumstances connected with the homicide which induced the court to give an instruction for that degree of manslaughter which is recorded in the verdict.
There is an error in that instruction, however, which, being properly excepted to, necessitates the reversal of the judgment; it is this: the words "heat of passion" are not defined. [State v. Strong, 55 S. W. 78 and cases cited.] Therefore, judgment reversed and cause remanded.
All concur.