Greer v. State

The appellant was indicted for an assault and battery upon the person of a female, with intent to commit a rape upon her; and, upon trial by jury, was convicted and sent to the state prison.

Upon the trial of the cause, the defendant became a witness on his own ^behalf, and it was proposed by his counsel to prove by him what his intention was in the commission of the alleged assault and battery, but, on the objection of the State, the evidence thus offered was excluded, and the defendant excepted.

The intent was the gist of the felony charged, and it devolved upon the State to make it out.

It…