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94 Ky. 341

Johnson v. Commonwealth

Court of Appeals of Kentucky

Decided May 11, 1893

Court of Appeals of Kentucky · decided 1893-05-11

<p>APPEAL FROM CHRISTIAN CIRCUIT COURT.</p> <p>TO CONSTITUTE A GOOD INDICTMENT FOR WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY STRIKING ANOTHER WITH INTENTION TO KILL HIM, it ÍS not necessary to allege that the person struck was “bruised” thereby, although that word is used in the statute. It is sufficient to allege that the defendant did willfully and maliciously “ strike and wound” him.</p>

Decided 1893-05-11

CHIEF JUSTICE BENNETT

¶1delivered th* opinion op the court.

¶2The appellant was convicted of maliciously striking Eldridge Coyle with a large stick — a deadly weapon— with the intention of killing him. The indictment charges that the appellant “unlawfully, willfully and maliciously did assault, strike and wound Eldridge Coyle,” &c.

¶3Objection is made to the sufficiency of the indictment, consisting in the fact that the word “bruised” is left out. The language of the statute that relates to cutting, striking, &c., is: “Or shall willfully and maliciously cut, strike or stab another with a knife, sword or otter deadly weapon, with intention to kill, if the person so stabbed, cut or bruised die not thereby.” (Gren. Staf., chap. 29, art. 6, sec. 2.) The word “bruised” is evidently used as descriptive only of one of the ways the person may be' injured. It seems that to cut, stab or bruise a person under the circumstances mentioned, is all that is contemplated by the statute, and any language that expresses the fact may be used. To wound him by striking him with a stick is certainly equivalent language. This is all that is necessary to be noticed.

¶4The judgment is affirmed’.

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