Case ID: ky_63/html/0351-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "JUDGE WILLIAMS", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CASE 39 — INDICTMENT
    FEBRUARY 28.
    Broms vs. Commonwealth.
    APPEAL FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT.
    A defendant indicted for stealing a bank note of greater nominal value than $4, has a right to prove on the trial the value of the note in gold or silver coin, and if of less value than $4 in such coin, he is punishable for petit larceny only.
    S. Harney, for appellant,
    cited Rev. Stat., chap. 28, art. 10, secs. 1 and 4; Whart. Grim. Law, sec. 1758.
    Jno. M. Harlan, Attorney General, for the Commonwealth.
   JUDGE WILLIAMS

delivered the opinion of the court:

In the case of Griswold vs. Hepburn (2 Duvall), the majority of this court held that gold and silver coin alone was a constitutional currency and legal tender, and this must be regarded as the law of this State until reversed by competent authority.

The defendant had the right to show the value of the bank bill alleged to have been stolen in this legal currency,- and if its value was less than four dollars, to be punished for the lesser offense of petit larceny, as prescribed by the statute.

The court below erred in refusing such evidence, and for this the judgment must be reversed, with directions to the court below to set aside'the judgment, grant a new trial, and for further proceedings in accordance to this opinion.