State v. Crocker

HYDE, Judge.

Defendant appeals from conviction of arson, under Section 560.020 (statutory references are to RSMo and V.A.M.S.) for which he was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. It is not claimed that the State failed to make a case for the jury; the allegations of error are that defendant and witnesses were improperly questioned about collateral matters and that the Court made improper statements to the jury.

The State’s evidence was that defendant (then in the United States Navy but home on leave) and Joe Jackson (a married man with a family) took Juanita Boomershine and Louise…