Ohio Supreme Court, 1926

State v. Hearne

State v. Hearne
Ohio Supreme Court · Decided March 5, 1926
4 Ohio Law. Abs. 278

State v. Hearne

Opinion of the Court

Edward Hearne was indicted by the Hamilton County Grand Jury for forgery, the indictment charging “forging of an endorsement of a check,” which indictment was quashed on the ground that it did not charge a crime.

The second indictment read in part as follows:

(First- Count)
“Unlawfully did falsely make, forge and counterfeit a certain check.”
(Second Count)
“Unlawfully did utter and publish as true and genuine, a certain false, forged and counterfeited check.”

The evidence disclosed that Hearne was an agent of Tyner and Co., working on a commission and that he did not have authority to endorse checks; that he endorsed “Tyner and Company, Edward H. Hearne” on a check of the Company. The check was genuine on its face.

A verdict of not guilty was directed on the ground that there was a variance between the charge in the indictment and the proof offered in support thereof.

The State, in the Supreme Court, contends:

1. That the indictment specifically informs the defendant of the .nature of the charge against him.

2. That there was not a fatal variance between the indictment and the proof offered in support of it.

_ 3. That the Court erred in directing’ a verdict of not guilty.

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