Case Name: Roby vs. The State of Georgia
Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Decision Date: 1878-08
Citations: 61 Ga. 45
Docket Number: 
Parties: Roby vs. The State of Georgia.
Judges: 
Reporter: Georgia Reports
Volume: 61
Pages: 45–46

Head Matter:
Roby vs. The State of Georgia.
1. A written request by ten of a jury of twelve, wbo found defendant guilty, that the court would be as lenient as possible, formed no part of the official proceedings, and was properly refused record with the verdict, the jurors distinctly stating that they acted merely as individuals.
2. The verdict is supported by the evidence.
Criminal law. Practice in the Superior Court. Before Judge Crisp. Lee Superior ‘Court. March Term, 1878.
Reported in the decision.
Vason & Alfriend, for plaintiff in error.
C. B. Hudson, solicitor general, by B. P. Hollis, for the state.

Opinion:
Warner, Chief Justice.
The defendant was indicted for the offense of simple larceny, and charged with having stolen a spotted hog. On the trial of the case, the jury found the defendant guilty. A motion was made for a new trial on the grounds therein stated, which was overruled, and the defendant excepted.
Although the evidence was conflicting, there is sufficient evidence in the record to sustain the verdict. The jury returned a general verdict of guilty, but at the same time handed the judge a written request, signed by ten of the jurors, requesting him to be as merciful in his sentence as in his judgment he could be. The court asked the jury if that paper was a part of their verdict ? They said it was not that their verdict was " guilty," and that they gave him the paper only as individual's, and not as jurors — whereupon the verdict was recorded without said separate paper, the same not being considered any part of the record in said case.
There was no error in refusing the separate paper to be entered upon the records of the court as part of the verdict of the jury in the case, nor in overruling the defendant's motion for a new trial, because of the handing of the paper by the jury to the judge, on the statement of facts contained in the record.
Let the judgment of the court below be affirmed.