State v. Fields

MORGAN, Presiding Judge.

A jury found appellant guilty of the crime of striking a police officer who was acting in the performance of his duties; and, as a second offender, he was sentenced to a term of one year in the county jail. Sections 557.215 and 556.280, RSMo 1969, V.A.M.S.

The incident leading to this appeal occurred on March 24, 1968. Appellant was observed by the officer attempting to “shoplift” certain items from a grocery store in Springfield. The officer attempted to arrest appellant who resisted and while so doing struck the officer twice with his fist.

Appellant was tried in the…