State v. Meller

PRITCHARD, Commissioner.

Defendant was on February 26, 1964 found guilty of the crime of dynamiting a building with felonious intent to defraud an insurance company. § 560.400. (All statutory references are to RSMo 1959, V.A.M.S.) It was stipulated at the trial (and outside the hearing of the jury) that defendant had previous convictions within the purview of the Habitual Criminal Act, § 556.280, which the court specifically so found, and defendant was tried accordingly. After the jury made its finding of guilt, the court deferred the assessment of punishment until March 9, 1964, at which time…