Case ID: scl_7/html/0693-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Nott, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CHARLESTON,
    
      January Term, 1815.
    The State vs. John Bennet.
    
      Larceny.
    
   Nott, J.

The only question in this case, in addition to the one taken in the first case, is, whether the jury can find a person guilty of petit larceny, where the property stolen is proved to be of greater value than twelve pence. However absurd it may appear, that a jury who are sworn to determine a case according to evidence, should be authorised to find goods stolen of less value than twelve pence, when all the witnesses swear they are of much greater value; it is what Judge Blathstone calls a pious perjury, which they have been indulged in until it has become the law of the land. The prin-eiple has been too long established to be now called in question, and, therefore, a new trial must be refused.

Justices Smith, Brevard and Grimke concurred.