Ratcliff v. State

Mississippi Supreme Court March 15, 1911

Ratcliff v. State, 99 Miss. 277 (Miss. 1911)

54 So. 947

Mayes, Smith

Opinion of the Court

Smith, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

The burning of the house was abundantly proven; but the only evidence, other than the alleged confession of the accused, which tended to establish that the burning was caused by a criminal agency, was several slight circumstances, wholly insufficient for this purpose. Bolden v. State, 54 South. 241. Reversed and remanded.

Mayes, C. J., dissents.

Reference

Full Case Name: Lucius Ratcliff v. State
Cited By: 2 cases
Status: Published
Syllabus: Criminal Law. Arson. Sufficiency of evidence. Where on a trial for arson the burning of the house was abundantly shown, but the only evidence that the burning was caused by a criminal agency was an alleged confession by accused and several slight circumstances tending, to establish such criminal agency, but wholly insufficient for that purpose, a conviction will be reversed.