You Guess the Verdict - Melons...

[noell.sweet]

A couple of years ago, a deputy sheriff in Oklahoma caught two men in a watermelon patch one night, apparently pilfering melons. There was no law against stealing melons, however.  Nevertheless, the men were arrested, tried, and convicted.  But on what charges?

 

[dgatl]

A couple of years ago, a deputy sheriff in Oklahoma caught two men in a watermelon patch one night, apparently pilfering melons. There was no law against stealing melons, however.  Nevertheless, the men were arrested, tried, and convicted.  But on what charges?

 

I lived in Oklahoma for a long time.  While I have no clue to your question, I would like to advise everyone to never go there.  Its awful.

[The ZAPINATOR]

edit

[jgruber]

Is this a trick question?  If you take something that doesn't belong to you without permission it is theft.

[robbief]

Tresspassing

[jgruber]

Tresspassing

and theft

[robbief]

But he explicitly says that theft wasn't the charge. right?

[jgruber]

He said there is no law against stealing melons.  That is not quite the same thing.

[SNUGGLE]

For Unlawful Melon Knowledge?

SNUGGLE out

[noell.sweet]

ANSWER:

They were found guilty of breaking a law written in 1890 that was seldom used, but was still valid in the late 20th century.  The law forbids "injury to a melon in the nighttime."