Hall v. State

Gary Harrison Hall was convicted of violating Md.Code (1957, 1982 Repl.Vol., 1984 Cum.Supp.), Art. 27, § 36(a),1 *810which prohibits the carrying of certain knives or any other dangerous or deadly weapon (except a penknife without switchblade) concealed upon or about the person. The indictment did not allege that the knife carried by Hall was not within the statutory exception, that is, the knife was not a penknife without switchblade. Hall contended before the Court of Special Appeals that this defect was fatal because the indictment omitted an essential or material element of the crime…