Young v. State
Young v. State
Opinion of the Court
The defendant was convicted of seduction. Code, § 26-6001. Exceptions were taken to the overruling of his motion for new trial as amended.
In O'Neill v. State, 85 Ga. 383 (11 S. E. 856), Judge Bleckley said: '“Whether a particular woman had parted with her virginity before the alleged seduction took place is a question for the jury. The affirmative may be established by evidence, direct or circumstantial; and conduct tending to show a debauched mind, the loss of moral chastity, may be considered. The want of moral chastity may also be regarded on the question whether the woman, though a virgin, was really seduced, or whether she shared the intercourse for the gratification of lascivious propensities not inflamed by the acts or importunity of the accused.” Legally speaking, “unmarried females who are virgins are virtuous.” Although a girl may be a virgin, and therefore legally virtuous, facts and circumstances as to conduct with other men which may amount to lasciviousness, and which show a lack of moral chastity, are relevant matters for a jury to consider in determining the question whether the acts and promises of the alleged seducer procured her consent. As was said by Judge Bleckley, “At all events, she might be in such a state of readiness as to need only the form of seduction, without its substance, to win her consent.” Por the above reason we are of the opinion that the court committed error in ruling out this evidence and that a new trial must therefore be granted.
Judgment reversed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.