Smith v. State

Bell, Chief Judge.

The defendant was convicted of arson in the first degree by knowingly damaging the Bleckley County jail by means of fire. Held:

1. It was shown at the trial that the only damage to the building was heavy smoke damage which required special machinery to remove it from the building. The jail itself was not charred or burned. Code § 26-1401 provides in part that "A person commits arson in the first degree when, by means of fire or explosive, he knowingly damages: . . .” The phrase "knowingly damages” is not further defined by the statute. It is defendant’s contention that this…