Case Name: United States v. Lewis G. Davidson and I. W. Stratton
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1835-03
Citations: 4 Cranch 576
Docket Number: 
Parties: United States v. Lewis G. Davidson and I. W. Stratton.
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: 576–577

Head Matter:
United States v. Lewis G. Davidson and I. W. Stratton.
Upon a joint indictment against two, for assault and battery, it is not a matter of right that they should bo 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 case the jury may acquit him, and then he may be examined for the other defendant.
Indictment for assault and battery on a negro, a servant at Fuller’s Hotel.
Mr. Brent, for the defendants,
asked that they might be tried separately, as he wished' to examine Qach as a witness for the other.

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 Chitty, Cr. L. 626, 627.