Case Name: Daniel Brown, Libellant, versus Patty Brown
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1809-05
Citations: 4 Tyng 320
Docket Number: 
Parties: Daniel Brown, Libellant, versus Patty Brown.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 247–247

Head Matter:
Daniel Brown, Libellant, versus Patty Brown.
If a particeps criminis be used as a witness to prove adultery upon the trial of a libel for a divorce, the Court will advise that he be prosecuted for the offence.
The libel in this case charged the respondent with committing the crime of adultery with one FF. R. Follanshe. It was moved for the libellant, that Follanshe be sworn as a witness to prove the charge in the libel.

Opinion:
The Court said they would not refuse to swear him, and added that if it appeared from his testimony that he was the paramour, they should recommend to the solicitor-general to lay the case before the grand jury, in order that an indictment might be found against him.
The counsel for the libellant suggested, that he proposed that the witness should testify that he knew the respondent to have committed the crime, without naming the other party. But the Court said they should inquire of him, with whom it was committed. Upon this, the libellant declined calling the witness, and the libel was continued fat further evidence.