State v. Doak

The respondent was charged with the crime of sodomy and convicted by jury verdict. At the close of all of the evidence, respondent moved for a directed verdict. Exception to an adverse ruling upon this motion raises the only issue here presented.

“The rule governing the direction of verdicts in a criminal case is that when the evidence is so defective or weak that a verdict based upon it cannot be sustained, the trial court, on motion, should direct a verdict for the respondent.” State v. Sullivan, 146 Me. 381, 384; State v. Gustin, 123 Me. 307.

The female complainant was fifteen years old at…