Lying in ambush; lying hid or concealed for the purpose of making a sudden and unexpected attack upon a person when he shall arrive at the scene. In some jurisdictions, where there are several degrees of murder, lying in wait is made evidence of that deliberation and premeditated intent which is necessary to characterize murder in the first degree. This term is not synonymous … [Read more...]
LUNACY
med. jur. A disease of the mind, which is differently defined as it applies to a class of disorders, or only to one species of them. As a general term it includes all the varieties of mental, disorders, not fatuous. 2. Lunacy is adopted as a general term, on account of its general use as such in various legislative acts and legal proceedings, as commissions of lunacy, and in … [Read more...]
LYNCH
To hang. Usually in reference to a lynch mob; a mob seeking to kill a person for an offense by hanging without the authority of law. … [Read more...]
LUNAR
That which belongs to the moon; relating to the moon as a lunar month. See Month. … [Read more...]
LYNCH LAW
A term descriptive of the action of unofficial persons, organized bands, or mobs, who seize persons charged with or suspected of crimes, or take them out of the custody of the law, and inflict summary punishment upon them, without legal trial, and without the warrant or authority of law. See State v. Aler, 39 W. Va. 549, 20 S. E. 585; Bates' Ann. St. Ohio, 1904, … [Read more...]