Court Opinion

ID: 9811917
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 22:33:15.39635+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:22:48.779913
License: Public Domain

MeeiiimoN, C. J.,
dissenting: The horrible and detestable purpose of the defendant in doing the acts which constitute the criminal offence committed by him against his wife cannot warrant what I deem a misapplication of well established principles of criminal law. In the nature of the marriage relation, the husband himself cannot ravish his wife; nor, for like reasons, can he, in a legal sense, assault her with the intent to commit a rape upon her. He can only commit the offence of rape, or that of assault with intent to commit a rape against his wife, by procuring, aiding, abetting or encouraging another to commit these offences. His offence in such case depends necessarily upon the perpetration of the principal offence by another party.
In this case, the negro named did not commit a rape upon the wife of the defendant, nor did he assault her with such intent. There was a total absence of such intent on his part, and such intent was an essential element of this offence. Then, in the nature of the matter, how can the defendant be chargeable with the particular offence charged against him in the indictment? As the negro committed no assault with intent to commit rape, so the defendant did not.
It is said, Shall the defendant go quit ? Has he commit; ted no offence? Most unquestionably he shall not go quit. He has committed. an offence — a very serious one. He is chargeable with an assault upon his wife with a deadly weapon and with the intent to kill, and a like assault upon the negro.
It is said the punishment of the offence last mentioned is not adequate. It may be very severe, but it may be said as *728well that the punishment for the offence as charged is not adequate. This, however, is no argument — not the slightest reason' pertinent here. The Courts have nothing to do with the punishment of offenders further than to impose the same in the cases, and as required and allowed by law. I will not pursue the subject further.
Per Ouriam. Affirmed.