Case ID: dc_4/html/0338-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "The CouRT", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

United States v. Harriet and Henriette Jourdine.
    Upon an indictment for keeping a disorderly house, and for keeping a bawdy house, the United States cannot give evidence of the general reputation of the house, nor of the general reputation of the defendants.
    The indictment had two counts : 1. For keeping a disorderly house. 2. For keeping a bawdy house.
    The Court (Morsell, J., contrd,) decided'that the general reputation of the house .could not be given in evidence by the Attorney of the United States.. Ti-iruston, J., having changed his opinion since the ease of Henry Gray, at May term, 1826. [2 Cranch, C. C. 675.]
    
      Mr. Key,, for the United States,
    then offered evidence of the general character of the defendants, who resided in the house, and were the keepers thereof.
    
      
      Mr. Brent and Mr. Brice, for the defendants,
    objected, 'that as a bawdy-house is defined to be a house of ill-fame kept for the resort and commerce of lewd people of both sexes, the characters of the keepers is not material. 1 Jae. Diet. tit. “ Bawdy house.”
   The CouRT

(MoRsell, J., contrá,)

rejected the evidence.

The defendants were found guilty upon .the first count only, and were fined $20, and required to give security in $200 for their good behavior for twelve months, and to stand committed until, &c. 
      
       The Court was in session twenty-five days. One hundred and twenty-four indictments were found. Ho eases were tried but upon indictments found at this special session. Eifty-nine were tried; five pleaded guilty. Of those tried forty-five were found guilty; eleven not guilty; and in three the jury could not agree, and were discharged. Sentence was pronounced in forty-four cases, and several new trials were granted; one of which was a cáse of murder. The Court transacted all the business which was ready, and, having ordered all the unfinished business to be continued to the next regular term, adjourned to the Court in course, October 1, 1833.