State v. Schuerman

Bland, P. J. Information was filed by Richard M. Johnson, assistant prosecuting attorney of the city of St. Lonis, in the court of criminal correction, charging the defendant under section 3495, Revised Statutes 1889, with having produced an abortion upon one Louisa Bateman by the use of an instrument. The defendant was arraigned, tried, found guilty, and sentenced to the workhouse for six months, and to pay a fine of $100. From this judgment and sentence she duly appealed to this court. The evidence on the part of the state is as follows: “Louisa Bateman testified as follows: ‘ ‘I called on the defendant at her home. She lived at No.-, Palm street. I told her what was the matter with me. She said she wanted $15, which I paid her. She then took me into a dark room, and I laid down and she examined me. I saw something shining in her hand, it looked like an instrument about six or seven inches long. She used it upon me, I think. I thought I felt it. She then told me to go home, and said that in three days it would be expelled. Inside of three days I was taken sick and sent Mrs. Catherine Sexton for Mrs. Sehuerman, who refused to come and see me. Something left me about that size (indicating), I was informed by Mrs. Sehuerman that I was about three months gone.” Cross-examination by Mr. Martin. “Couldn’t say what kind of an instrument it was. It looked long and bright. The room was rather dark. Yes, I went there myself. Didn’t say I wanted to find out what was the matter.” [521] Mrs. Catherine Sexton testified as follows: ITenue:iíímRÍnon. pi oof. “I found the woman very sick and she asked me to go and get Mrs. Schuerman, who was attending to her. I then' visited Mrs. Schuerman. Talked with her. She said she would not go with me to see the girl because it was all right. That she would be all right. That she would be all right in three days. That she fixed her. ’ ’ This evidence fails to prove any venue. To say that “I called on the defendant at her home. She lived at No.-, Palm street,” does not fix the state, county, or city of her residence, nor does the evidence locate the time when the alleged offense was committed, nor any facts from which the time can be reasonably inferred. To authorize a conviction the state is required to prove that the offense charged was committed within the period limited by statute for its prosecution. State v. Sauerburg, 64 Mo. App. 129. lNrTegaüveIav«ment. proof. The information charged, in the language of the statute creating the offense, that the abortion was not necessary to preserve the life of said Louisa Bateman, etc. This is a negative averment, but it is a negative contained in the section and clause of the section creating the offense. It was necessary to aver it in the information, and just as necessary to prove it upon the trial. No such proof was offered. State v. Hirsch, 45 Mo. loc. cit. 431. The information is in the language of the statute and is sufficient, and we think the evidence of the pregnancy of the Bateman woman, and the fact that defendant produced an abortion upon her is sufficient to warrant a finding for the state upon these issues. Judgment reversed and cause remanded. All concur.