T. A. CRAWFORD, Appellant, vs. THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, Appellee.
[January Term, A. D. 1887.]
Appeal from the Court of Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas, Sinoe County.
Fornication.
In this case, trial was had at the August term of the Court of Quarter Sessions, Sinoe County, 1886. At the trial the appellee obtained a verdict and judgment against the appellant, but exceptions were taken thereto and the case brought before this court for review. During the proceedings and trial below, several questions of law were raised, the most important of which (as it appears to this court) was to the indictment, for alleged uncertainty in setting out the charge.
In considering this case the court feels bound to say that the charge upon which one is arraigned for trial in all cases should be set forth with such distinctness as to leave no doubt upon the mind of either the court or defendant as to its nature; and this is but reasonable, as thereby the defendant may be able to make his defence.
A complaint or charge should not be set out in such language as to leave it doubtful as to the special offence intended to be charged. In examining the records in this case we discover that fornication and bastardy are coupled, and charged against the appellant. Now, for which of these offences has the verdict been rendered (the verdict being a general verdict) is not clear to the mind of the court, both fornication and bastardy being offences for which distinct remedies are provided, in law. Upon the whole, after a careful review of the evidence, the court fails to see that it supports and fortifies the verdict and judgment rendered.
Therefore this court adjudges that the judgment of the court below in this case is hereby reversed and that the appellee pay all lawful costs of the appeal.