Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

45 Ala. 29

Mitchum v. State

Supreme Court of Alabama

Decided January 15, 1871

Supreme Court of Alabama · decided 1871-01-15

Tried before Hon. Charles Pelham. The facts material to the point decided will be found in the opinion. The testimony shows that the matches were placed upon the counter for the use of the public and the accommodation of the public; that any and every person had the right to take the matches without limit, to light their pipes and cigars.

Decided 1871-01-15

B. F. SAFFOLD, J.

¶1The defendant was indicted for petit larceny. On the trial, the evidence material to the exception taken by him was, that the box of matches, the subject of the larceny, was placed on the counter of the store to be used by the public in lighting their pipes and cigars in thejxiam, and for their accommodation, and was taken therefrom by the defendant. The court was requested by the prisoner to charge the jury, that if the matches were placed on the counter of the store house for the use of customers, or the public, and they were taken while there for such use, the defendant was not__guilty. The charge was refused, and the defendant excepted.

¶2Larceny may be""committed of property under the circumstances attached to the box of matches. The owner had not abandoned his right to them. They could only be appropriated in á particular manner and in very limited quantity, with his consent. Taking them by the box full without felonious intent would have been a trespass, and with it, a larceny. The ownership was sufficiently proved.

¶3The judgment is affirmed.

/45/ala/29 · .json · Public domain