[stealing, sheep]

R. v. Crohan and Groves

Supreme Court of Van Diemen's Land

Pedder C.J., 10 October 1835

Source: Tasmanian, 23 October 1835

John Crohan and James Groves, were charged with stealing sheep, the property of Mr. James Bryant, and acquitted, it appearing that the animals, whether stolen or not, were dead when traced to the possession of prisoners, and that a dead sheep is no longer a sheep, but mutton. They were then indicted for stealing so many "carcases" of mutton; it appeared, however, that the heads were off, and although they were found guilty, yet with the point reserved whether a carcase with the head off is a carcase, which, if decided in their favor, will be another acquittal, and they must be again indicted in some other way.