Poulos v. Commonwealth

William Poulos was indicted for arson, tried, convicted, and sentenced to five years in the penitentiary. There are many assignments of error but the determinative one is whether or not the verdict and judgment are supported by sufficient evidence.

Mary T. Poulos, the wife of the accused, operated a restaurant and soft drink business known as Liberty Luncheonette on West Washington Street in Suffolk. This business was conducted in an old frame building which had been to some extent remodeled and enlarged. It was owned by one Joe E. Holland. The accused assisted his wife in the business,…