Commonwealth v. Stephenson
Commonwealth v. Stephenson
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court. The question in this case is, whether there was a breaking or not. The lifting a latch and opening the door, though not bolted or locked; the shoving up a window, though not fastened; the getting down a chimney, and various other acts done to effect an entry, are held to be a breaking.
The objection is, that the lattice-work of the dairy window was of twine only. Suppose it were of wire, or thin slats of wood, would there be any difference ? This, network was nailed down on all sides; it was torn away by the defendants, and they entered the breach. This is quite sufficient to constitute a burglarious breaking and entry.
Motion for a new trial overruled.
See State v. Wilson, Coxe, (N. Jers.) 439; Commonwealth v Steward, 7 Dawes’s Abr. 136.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.