Putting In Fear

The causing of such reasonable apprehension of death or serious bodily harm as deters the person threatened from running the risk of incurring the same by resistance to unlawful aggression. In the crime of robbery, such putting in fear is accounted constructive violence. The fear inspired to compel a man to surrender his property may be of injury to his person (2 East, P. C. 712), or to his property (Id. 729). Fear of injury to character or reputation is not sufficient (7 Humph. [Tenn.] 45, 12 Ga. 293), with the single exception of a threat to accuse of an unnatural crime (1 Car. & P. 479).

These words are used in the definition of a robbery from the person: the offence must have been committed by putting in fear the person robbed. Co. 3d Inst. 68; 4 Bla. Com. 243. This is the circumstance which distinguishes robbery from all other larcenies. But what force must be used or what kind of fears excited are questions very proper for discussion. The goods must be taken against the will of the possessor. There must either be a putting in fear or actual violence, though both need not be positively shown, for the former will be inferred from the latter, and the latter is sufficiently implied in the former. For example, when a man is suddenly knocked down, and robbed while he is senseless, there is' no fear, yet in consequence of the violence, it is presumed; 2 East, PI. Cr. 711; Com. v. Snelling, 4 Binn. (Pa.) 379; U. S. v..Tones, 3 Wash. C. C. 209, Fed. Cas. No. 15,494. In an indictment for robbery, at common law, it is not necessary to allege a putting in fear in addition to the allegation of force and violence; Com. v. Humphries, 7 Mass. 242; Com. v. Clifford, 8 Cush. (Mass.) 217. PYR0MANIA. An Irresistible propensity to burn property. Pyromania always occurs in young subjects, and is supposed to be connected with disordered menstruation, or that physiological evolution which attends the transition from youth to manhood. See Mania. '

These words are used in the definition of a robbery from the person; the offence must have been committed by putting in fear, the person robbed. 3 Inst. 68; 4 Bl. Com. 243. This is the circumstance which distin- Q.