Case Name: UNITED STATES v. DAVIDSON et al.
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1835-03
Citations: 25 F. Cas. 773
Docket Number: 
Parties: UNITED STATES v. DAVIDSON et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 25
Pages: 773–773

Head Matter:
Case No. 14,922.
UNITED STATES v. DAVIDSON et al.
[4 Cranch, C. C. 576.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
March Term, 1835.
Criminal Law—Joint Indictment—Trial— Witness.
Upon a joint indictment against two, for assault and battery, it is not a matter, of right that they should be tried separately, at their request; and neither can be examined as a witness for the other unless there be no evidence against one; in which ease the jury may acquit him, and then he may be examined for the other defendant.
Indictment [against Lewis G. Davidson, and I. W. Stratton] for assault and battery on a negro, a servant at Fuller’s Hotel.
Mr. Brent, for defendants,
asked that they might be tried separately, as he wished to examine each as a witness for the other.
[Reported by Hon. William Craneh, Chief Judge.]

Opinion:
THE COURT
said that it was perhaps in the discretion. of the court to allow it, but that the defendants could not claim it as a matter of right; and that neither can be examined as a witness for the other unless it should appear that there was no evidence against one; in which case the jury may acquit him, and then he may be examined for the other; but if there be any evidence against him he cannot be examined. 1 Chit Cr. Law, 626, 627.