Case Name: UNITED STATES v. BILL
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1820-06
Citations: 24 F. Cas. 1147
Docket Number: 
Parties: UNITED STATES v. BILL.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 24
Pages: 1147–1147

Head Matter:
Case Mo. 14,693.
UNITED STATES v. BILL.
[2 Cranch, C. C. 202.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
June Term, 1820.
Constable — Sacrificing Property — Corrupt Motive.
In a prosecution against a constable for wantonly sacrificing property taken under execution, the jury cannot find him guilty, unless they should be satisfied that he acted from a corrupt motive.
[See Cases Nos. 1.405 and 14.594.]

Opinion:
The defendant [A. T. F. Bill], who was a constable, was presented for wantonly sacrificing a carpet taken by him in execution, and sold at a time and place different from the time and place mentioned in the notice of sale.
At the motion of Mr. Law, the defendant's counsel, THE COURT instructed the jury that before they could find him guilty, they must be satisfied that he acted from a corrupt motive.
Verdict for the defendant.