Court Opinion

ID: 9810332
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 21:47:16.397308+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:39:50.522012
License: Public Domain

Douglas, J.,
dissenting. The grossly indecent nature of *1068the assault and my personal feeling towards any one who would betray or abuse a child, make me hesitate to dissent from the opinion of the court, and yet as a naked question of law I see no' evidence that the defendant intended to ravish. Bad as the facts are, they are all consistent with his innocence of the grave crime with which he is charged. From the State’s testimony alone, it seems that he had the girl in his power, and that he desisted without any outside interruption and without any actual attempt upon her person. There is no evidence that his clothing was unbuttoned, or that he was prepared to' complete the crime. His fondling the girl would itself tend to prove that his purpose was persuasion. I do not mean to say that he was innocent of all crime. He was clearly guilty of an aggravated assault and should be punished accordingly, but he should not be subjected to the terrible consequences of so heinous a crime as that of which he has been convicted without competent evidence of his guilt. Seven years in the penitentiary to one of his age may be a life sentence, and in any event a conviction of attempt to commit what is generally regarded as the highest crime known to the law, fixes upon him the life long brand of infamy. Nor will he be the only sufferer, as even the innocent of kindred blood will share in his shame. In our detestation of the crime, we should not lose sight of the fearful injustice that would result from an unjust conviction.