Case ID: dc_1/html/0445-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      But the Court", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Ex parte Abraham Lindo.
    A -witness must answer whether he saw the defendant at a public gaming-table, inasmuch as the answer cannot criminate or tend to criminate the witness himself.
    Rule to show cause why an attachment of contempt should not issue against a witness for not answering this question by the grand jury, “ Did you within the last three months see Richard Lewis play at any public gaming-table within the county of Alexandria ? ”
    The witness objects that it may tend to criminate himself, by showing that he was present at a public gaming-table, and may induce Lewis to prosecute him ; and Mr. Sivann, for the witness, cited 1 Morgan’s Essays, 438; 2 Hawk. e. 46, § 20, p. 609: 1 Atk. 539.
   But the Court

(Duckett, J., absent,)

decided that he must answer, inasmuch as the answer could not criminate nor tend to criminate himself. Whereupon he submitted to answer.