Luke v. State
Supreme Court of Alabama
From the Circuit Court of Wilcox. Tried before the Hon. P. O. Harper. The defendants in this case, Si Luke, alias Si Johnson, Joe Nettles, and Neil Shanks, were jointly indicted for setting fire to the county jail of Wilcox; were convicted, and sentenced each to confinement in the penitentiary for two years.
Read the full summary
From the Circuit Court of Wilcox. Tried before the Hon. P. O. Harper. The defendants in this case, Si Luke, alias Si Johnson, Joe Nettles, and Neil Shanks, were jointly indicted for setting fire to the county jail of Wilcox; were convicted, and sentenced each to confinement in the penitentiary for two years. “ When the parties had announced themselves ready,” as the bill of exceptions states, “ and the jury had been selected, the court ordered the following oath to be administered to them : ‘You do solemly swear, that you will well and truly try all issues, and execute all writs of inquiry,…
1Opinion of the CourtB. F. Saffold, J.
— The appeal is from a conviction of arson, in setting fire to or burning the jail of Wilcox County. The appellant was confined in jail under a charge of assault with intent to murder, together with Nettles, who was under indictment for rape. The two attempted in concert to break prison, by burning a hole through the floor of their apartment. They had burned the floor about six inches deep, but not entirely through, when they were detected by the jailer and others, who extinguished the fire. While committing the burning, they controlled the fire with water saved from their allowance. The…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- Graham v. StateSupreme Court of Alabama · 1867
- People v. CotteralNew York Supreme Court · 1820
3Cited by8 opinions
- Morris v. StateSupreme Court of Alabama · 1899
- Lockett v. StateSupreme Court of Alabama · 1879
- Smith v. StateCourt of Appeals of Texas · 1887
- Washington v. StateSupreme Court of Alabama · 1973
- Washington v. StateSupreme Court of Alabama · 1973
3 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.