Hoss v. State

18 Ind. 349

• Court: Indiana Supreme Court
• Decided: May 15, 1862
• Status: Published

Opinion

Her Curiam.

Hoss was indicted for murder in the second degree. On that indictment he might he convicted for the offence named, or for manslaughter.

'The lightest punishment for murder in the second degree is imprisonment in the penitentiary for life. 2 Gl. & H. pp. 437, 438. The heaviest punishment for manslaughter is imprisonment in the same place for twenty-one years; IUcl; but, on the trial of said cause, the Court told the jury that if they convicted of manslaughter, the heaviest punishment they could inflict was imprisonment as above for fourteen years. Under this instruction the jury found the defendant guilty of murder in the second degree, whereby he was sentenced for life to the State prison. The instruction may have prejudiced the defendant. If the jury had been told that they could punish, upon a verdict of manslaughter, for twenty-one years in the State prison, they, thinking that to be punishment enough, might have so found; while, thinking fourteen years insufficient, they may have been induced to find murder in the second degree, and thus have inflicted a higher punishment than they otherwise would have done.

It may also be stated that in homicide, if there be intention to kill, but without premeditation and malice, the offence is manslaughter. Dennison v. The State, 13 Ind. 510.

Thomas D. Waif oh and JR. JL. Waif oh, for the appellant.

The judgment is reversed. Cause remanded. The Clerk is directed to issue the proper order for the return of the defendant.