43 Ind. 509 | Ind. | 1873
This is the indictment in this case:
“The grand jurors for the county of Floyd, in the State of Indiana, upon their oath present that Harry Halley and Charles Dewane, on the 27th day of June, 1872, at said county of Floyd, feloniously, designedly, and with intent to defraud one Martha Saul, did falsely pretend to the said Martha Saul that they, the said Harry Halley and Charles Dewane, were then agents of the government of the United States, for the puipose of selling goods and merchandise
There was a motion made to quash the indictment, but it was overruled and exception taken, and this is assigned for error. A plea of not guilty was put in, and after hearing the evidence of the State, Dewane was discharged by the court, there being no evidence against him, under sec. 106, 2 G. & H. 416. The trial against Halley resulted in his conviction and sentence to the penitentiaiy for five years. Is
The indictment was found under sec. 27, 2 G. & H. 445, and it may be bad for many reasons, but we need not notice but one defect, as that is fatal as to . its sufficiency. It does not charge or allege that the money obtained from Margaret Saul was her money or property. In two cases in this court directly in point, it has been held that this allegation is absolutely essential to the validity of the indictment, and we adhere to these rulings. The State v. Smith, 8 Blackf. 489; Leobold v. The State, 33 Ind. 484.
The judgment is reversed, with instructions to the court below to quash the indictment; and the clerk of this court will issue the proper order for the return of the prisoner.