Case Name: Samuel R. Townsend vs. George H. Babbitt
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1858-10
Citations: 11 Gray 468
Docket Number: 
Parties: Samuel R. Townsend vs. George H. Babbitt.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 77
Pages: 468–468

Head Matter:
Samuel R. Townsend vs. George H. Babbitt.
The original process for the commitment of a convict to jail, and not a mere copy thereof should be left with the jailer.
Petition of the justice of the police court of Taunton, under St. 1856, c. 173, § 7, for the removal of the sheriff of Bristol, for leaving with the jailer of the county original processes issued by that court for the commitment of persons convicted before it, and refusing to return them to the court.
S. R. Townsend, pro se,
cited Randall v. Bridge, 2 Mass. 549, Commonwealth v. Waite, 2 Pick. 445.
C. I. Reed, for the respondent.

Opinion:
By the Court.
The court are of opinion that, according tt the ancient practice in Massachusetts, the original mittimus should be left with the jailer, as evidence of his authority to aold the prisoner. Petition dismissed.
But see St. 1859, c. 233; Gen. Sts. c 174, § 22.