State v. Layne

Brandon Layne was presented for disturbing public worship. He pleaded former conviction before a Justice of the Peace under the small offense law. The District Attorney moved to strike out the plea, and, upon his motion being disallowed, he admitted the truth of the facts pleaded. Upon that admission the Circuit Judge sustained the plea and discharged the defendant. The State appealed in error.

In the year 1801 the Legislature enacted a law declaring “that if any person shall interrupt a congregation assembled for the purpose of worshiping the deity, such person shall be dealt with as a rioter…