Acker v. Commonwealth

In an indictment for robbery, under the Act of March 31st 1860, it is not necessary that all the circumstances which enter into the definition of robbery at common law should be particularly averred in the indictment. If the word “rob” is used in the indictment it includes all these circumstances, and it is not necessary to further aver that the property was taken “ from his body and against his will.”

Error to the Court of Oyer and Terminer of Lehigh county: Of July Term 1879, No. 27. Indictment of Charles Acker for robbery. The following was the indictment: “ In the Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery and Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the county of Lehigh : April Sessions 1879. Lehigh County ss. : The Grand Inquest of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, inquiring for the county of Lehigh, upon their oaths and affirmations, respectively do present, that Charles Acker, late of the said county, yeoman, on the 23d day of October A. D. 1878, at the county aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction of this court, with force and arms, &c., then and there, on and upon one August Seeber then and there being, feloniously did make an assault, and him, the said August Seeber, in bodily fear and danger of his life, then and there feloniously did put, and one ten dollar bank note of the value of ten dollars, four five dollar bank notes, of the currency of the United States, of the value of five dollars each, and two one dollar bank notes, of the currency of the United States, of the value of one dollar each, of the goods and chattels, moneys and property of him, the said August Seeber, then and there feloniously and violently did rob, seize, steal, take and carry away; contrary to the form of the Act of,the General Assembly in such case made and provided, and against the peace and- dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” The indictment was endorsed as follows : - “ No. 89, April Session 1879. Commonwealth v. Charles Acker. Robbery. A true bill. D. D. Jones, foreman. April 16th 1879. August Seeber, pros. Now, 22d day of April A. D. 1879, defendant being arraigned, pleads not guilty. Charles Acker.” Counsel for defendant moved to quash the bill of indictment for the following reasons: 1. The indictment is fatally defective, in that the averments therein contained are insufficient, in that they do not state that the money therein described was taken from the person of August Seeber and against his will. 2. The description of the money alleged therein to have been stolen is too vague, indefinite and uncertain. 3. The indictment does not contain the necessary averment that August Seeber was put in bodily fear by the defendant, with the intent to rob or steal the property alleged to have been feloniously taken and carried away. A motion was also made in arrest of judgment for the foregoing reasons, and the additional one that “the indictment did not charge the said Charles Acker with any offence known to the law.” Both motions were overruled, which were the errors assigned by defendant, who took this writ.