St. John v. State

The prosecution against this appellant originated in the domestic relations court of Jefferson county. In that court he was adjudged guilty, and, from the judgment of conviction, he appealed to the circuit court. Upon the trial in the circuit court, the solicitor filed a complaint, charging that:

“W. L. St. John, a husband, did, within 12 months before the beginning of this prosecution, without just cause, desert, or willfully neglect or refuse or fail to provide for the support and maintenance of his wife; she, his said wife being then and there in destitute or necessitous circumstances,” etc.