State v. Clay

12 La. Ann. 431

• Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana
• Decided: June 15, 1857
• Status: Published

Opinions

Mebkick, C. J.

The appeal in this case has been taken by the State from a judgment of the lower court quashing the indictment. The prosecution is based upon the second section of the Act of February 21st, 1828, which makes it a crime to prepare combustible materials, and to put them in any place with an intention to set fire to a mansion house or other building. The punishment imposed by the statute was not less than ten nor more than fifteen year's’ imprisonment at hard labor.

The defendant contends that this section of the statute was repealed by the Act of 1855, relative to crimes and offences. (See p. 130.)

The statute of 1855 treats ex professo .of “offences against habitations,” &c.

On this subject it has radically changed the previous law. By the first section of the Act of 1828, setting fire to other buildings besides mansion houses was punished with death. By the Act of 1855, the penalty is less than was the penalty for preparing combustibles to set fire to such buildings under the Act of 1828.

An examination of the Act of 1855, on this subject, and a comparison of it with the former laws, will show that it was the intention of the Legislature to arrange under the head “offences to habitations ” all the laws which it intended to continue in force, on the subject of setting fire to buildings, vessels, &c. The repealing clause of the Act of 1855, therefore, repealed the second section of the Act of 1828. See Acts of 1855, p. 137, sec. 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50.

Judgment affirmed.