People v. Murray
Supreme Court of California
15 Cal. 159 (1859)
Relevant factsFree
Murray eloped with his niece, obtained wedding witnesses, and asked one of them to locate a magistrate to perform the ceremony, but the wedding never actually took place, and he was convicted of attempting to enter an incestuous marriage based on these preparatory steps.
IssueFree
Whether an attempted crime requires an act that leads directly toward completion of the crime and goes beyond mere preparation for the attempt.