Ruth v. People
Ruth v. People
Opinion of the Court
This was an indictment in the Knox circuit court, against Henry P. Ruth, for burglary and larceny, the indictment charging the defendant with each offence. On the trial of the cause the defendant asked the court to instruct the jury as follows:
“Under the indictment in this case the jury may, if in the judgment and belief of the jury the evidence warrants it, find the defendant guilty of larceny, and in their verdict find the value of the property stolen, or may find the defendant guilty of burglary or larceny, or both, under the indictment in this case.”
This instruction the court refused, and the defendant excepted to the decision of the court.
The defendant was on trial for burglary and larceny, and it was the province of the jury to determine from the evidence which one of the two offences was established. If the jury found the evidence established burglary, then it was the duty of the jury to find the defendant guilty of that offence. If, on the other hand, the evidence failed to show burglary, but showed larceny, then it was the duty of the jury to find the defendant guilty of larceny, and in the verdict find the value of the property stolen.
The instruction asked contained a correct proposition of law. It was proper under the indictment, and we are of opinion it should have been given, and as no other instruction contained the same principle, we think the court erred in refusing the instruction, and for this error the judgment will be reversed, and the cause remanded for another trial.
Judgment reversed,.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Henry F. Ruth v. The People of the State of Illinois
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Criminal law — right to convict of one of two offences charged. On the trial of one under an indictment for burglary and larceny, it is the province of the jury to find the defendant guilty of both or either of said offences, as the evidence may warrant, and it is error to refuse an instruction to that effect on behalf of the defendant. If the jury find him guilty of larceny, they should find the value of the property stolen.