State v. Williams

The defendant appeals from his conviction of first degree arson, 13 V.S.A. § 502. He raises four challenges to the conviction in this appeal. We affirm.

I

First, he contends that the trial court erred in failing to grant his motion for judgment of acquittal because the evidence failed to establish that the building burned was a dwelling house within the meaning of the statute. 1

The defendant argues that the building was vacant, had not been used as a dwelling for over a year and a half, and was incapable of being so used because of lack of heat, electricity or running water, and therefore it…