Case Name: United States v. Thomas Fitton
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1835-11
Citations: 4 Cranch 658
Docket Number: 
Parties: United States v. Thomas Fitton.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (District of Columbia - reported by Mackey)
Volume: 4
Pages: 658–659

Head Matter:
United States v. Thomas Fitton.
Upon an indictment against the husband for assault and battery of his wife, she may be examined as a witness against him.
This was an indictment for an alleged cruel assault and battery of the defendant’s wife.
Mr. Key, for the United States,
offered the wife as a witness against her husband.
Mr. Mason, for the defendant, objected ; but

Opinion:
The Court
(nem. con.) permitted her to be sworn and examined. See McNally on Evidence, c. 16, p. 160 to 176 ; 3 Chitty, Crim. Law, 819; 1 Starkie, 84, 85; 4 Starkie, 705, 706; Davis v. Dimooody, 4 T. R. 678 2 Russell, 604, and the cases there cited.
The wife's testimony was slightly corroborated, but strongly discredited by evidence of her habits and conduct.
Verdict for the defendant.