Case ID: scl_1/html/0245-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      The Courts\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The State against Fuller.
    If a special verdict states tlie passing cf a forged note, knowing' of the forgery, it is sufficient to 'warrant a judgment on the conviction, though such finding does not express that it was done with a fraudulent intention ; for the fraudulent intention springs out of the knowledge of the forgery, as a natural consequence.
    FORGERY of a promissory note. The jury in this case, found the prisoner guilty of attempting to pass the “ note, knowing of the forgery.”
    Upon the adjournment day, the counsel for the prisoner moved in arrest of judgment, that this was not such a fading as would warrant the court to pass sentence against the prisoner; inasmuch as the verdict did not state or find that the prisoner passed the note, knowing of the forgery, with intent to defraud. And upon this ground, it was contended, that the felony was not found complete; and that the court could not, by intendment, supply the fraudulent intention, so as to affect the life of the prisoner.
   The Courts

after argument, and upon mature deliberation, were of opinion, that the verdict, as it stood, would warrant the passing of sentence on the prisoner ; upon the authority of Lord Holt, 12 Mod. 627. who lays it down, that though in an indictment for manslaughter, it is necessary to lay it to have been done voluntarily ; yet it is not necessary, that it should be found so in a special verdict; for if it be found that the prisoner did the act, without any more, it must be understood that he did it voluntarily, as laid in the indictment, if the contrary do not appear. So also in 2 Str. 844, 5. where a verdict found that a prisoner forged a bond and published the same ; but no intention to defraud. The court had no doubt but that it was a good finding to constitute the forgery. So again in Donnelly's case, Leach, 204. It is laid down in a case of robbery, the putting in fear (which is essential to a robbery) need not be laid or found ; but if it be laid, and found to be done violently and against the will, the law, in odium spolialoris„ will presume it; that is, that the person was put in bodily fear. A reasonable fear of violence, caused by a construe» rive violence, is sufficient: so resolved by all the judges of England, in their opinion delivered by Justice Willes, in May, 1779.

In the present case, the indictment states, that the note vans passed, knowing of the forgery, with intent to defraud. The verdict finds the uttering, knowing of the forgery. The facts which constitute the offence, are here found. The intent is only matter of circumstance, which naturally follows and springs out of the facts. No other than a fraudulent intent can be inferred, when a man makes or passes a false deed, as and for a true one. The law will presume as in the foregoing cases, (in odium fraudis,') that it was done with a fraudulent intention. Besides, it is laid down in 5 Rep. 97. that the court will never entertain a doubt concerning a thing not submitted to them by a special ver-diet; but, on the contrary, will intend every thing, which nan be fairly intended, in order to support the verdict.

Present, Burke, Grimke, Waties, and Bay, Justices.

The motion -was discharged, and the prisoner afterwards executed,