41 Ala. 412 | Ala. | 1868
The indictment is predicated on section 3174 of the Code, which declares, that “ any person, who commits the crime of larceny, by stealing any personal property, not exceeding twenty dollars, is guilty of petty larceny,” &c. This leaves the offense, as to its ingredients, except the value of the property, the same as at common law. As a general rule, an attempt to commit a misdemean- or, is a misdemeanor; and section 3301 of the Code prescribes the mode and measure of punishment.—1 Bishop’s Criminal Law, § 683 (520); The State v. Murphy, 6 Ala. 765. On an indictment for a misdemeanor, a conviction for an attempt to commit the offense may take place—Code, § 3601; Penal Code of 1866, § 647; Revised Code, § 4199. The first charge asked was correctly refused by the court. The prisoner might have been convicted of an attempt to commit larceny, without any caption or asportation of the property. But he could not be convicted of larceny, without proof of a taking and carrying away the property. All the evidence is set out in the bill of exceptions ; and we are satisfied that it does not show such a taking and carrying away of the property as is necessary
Beversed and remanded.