The People v. Shelton

Plaintiff in error, Joseph R. Shelton, whom we will hereinafter refer to as defendant, was jointly indicted, in the circuit court of Madison county, with two other young men for the crime of rape. There were two counts in the indictment, the first alleging forcible rape and the second charging carnal knowledge of a female under the age of sixteen years, or statutory rape as it is generally referred to. Defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts and had a separate trial before a jury. At the close of all the evidence a nolle prosequi was entered as to the first count but the jury found…