State v. St. Clair
Missouri Supreme Court
262 S.W.2d 25 (1953)
- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
The State of Missouri (plaintiff) prosecuted St. Clair (defendant) for participating in a robbery along with two partners, who were already imprisoned for the crime. At trial, St. Clair claimed that he participated in the robbery only because the other men made him do so. St. Clair testified that he came to fear the men because of their past threats and acts of violence against him and his family. St. Clair said the men tricked him into accompanying them to a house whose owner they intended to rob, and threatened to shoot St. Clair and his family if he did not participate in the robbery. One of the men held a shotgun on St. Clair while he entered the house and robbed the owner. The judge refused to instruct the jury on the defense of duress. The jury convicted St. Clair and he appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Hollingsworth, J.)
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