State v. Lonon

19 Ark. 577

• Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas
• Decided: January 15, 1858
• Status: Published

Opinion

Mr. Chief Justice English

delivered the opinion of the Court.,

John Burchfield and John J. Lonon were jointly indicted for-an assault and battery, in the Lawrence Circuit Court, as follows:

“ That John Burchfield and John J. Lonon, late of, etc., on. the 10th day of June, A. D. 1853, with force and arms, in the county of Lawrence aforesaid, in and upon each other, in the peace of God in said State, then aad there being, unlawfully did make an assault, and each other then and there did beat,, wound and ill-treat, and other wrongs to each other then and there did, to the great damage of each other, contrary to the form of the statute,” etc.

Lonon filed a motion to quash the indictment for misjoinder, which the Court sustained, and the State appealed.

Two persons may commit an assault and battery, each upon the other, at the same .time, as for example, when they mutually fight by agreement in a private place, but each would be guilty of a distinct and several offence. But the offences being misdemeanors, and of the same nature, the offenders may, it seems, be joined in the same indictment, if severally charged. But it is not proper to do so, because the Court has the discretion to quash the indictment, as it did in this case. State vs. Nailet ah, present term.

The judgment is affirmed.