State v. Kitowski

The sole question presented by this appeal is whether the evidence relied upon by the jury was sufficient to prove the necessary elements of the crime of arson. Two elements must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in order to sustain the conviction for the crime of arson. They are: “(1) the corpus delicti; that is, a fire caused by a criminal agency; and (2) the identity of defendant as the one responsible for the fire.” Curtis, Law of Arson, p. 526, sec. 486; see also State v. Janasky (1950), 258 Wis. 182, 45 N. W. 2d 78. On this appeal defendant contends that neither of these elements have…