Smith v. State
Texas Supreme Court
Smith v. State, 32 Tex. 593 (Tex. 1870)
Lindsay
Smith v. State
Opinion of the Court
The evidence in this case does not sustain the charge of an assault with intent to kill and minder. Heither does' it establish that there was either an aggravated or a simple assault committed. From the proof exhibited in the record, it is apparent, that whatever may have been the intention of the appellant, as manifested by threatening gestures and accompanying words, that intention was not coupled with the ability to commit a battery. Without this ability, coupled with the attempt, there could be no assault.
The judgment is reversed and the case dismissed.
Reversed and dismissed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- R. K. Smith v. State
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1βTo sustain a charge of an assault with intent to kill and murder, or an aggravated assault, or even a simple assault, the evidence must show that the accused had the ability to commit a battery. A mere attempt to commit a battery, not coupled with the ability, will not suffice, no matter how threatening the gestures or furious the words which manifest the purpose.