Case Name: The State v. John Bennet
Court: Constitutional Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1815-01
Citations: 3 Brev. 514
Docket Number: 
Parties: The State v. John Bennet.
Judges: Smith, Bkevakd, and Grimke, Js., concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 514–514

Head Matter:
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, CHARLESTON,
JAN., 1815.
The State v. John Bennet.
The possession of stolen goods is a presumption of guilt; and this presumption is not rebutted by the lapse of two months between the theft and fiuding.
It is the right of the judge to comment on the evidence.
Larceny.

Opinion:
Nott, J.
This is a motion for a new trial, on the ground of misdirection in the judge, in stating to the jury, that that the lapse of time between the loss of the articles stolen, and the finding of them, being about two months, was not sufficient to rebut the presumption of guilt, arising from their being found in defendant's possession. A legal presumption of guilt, always arises from the possession of stolen goods. That presumption was strengthened, in this case, by concealment, and other circumstances proper for the consideration of the jury ; and, although it is the province of the jury to judge of' the facts, and of the judge to determine the law, yet the judge is not precluded from giving his opinion on the facts. It is his duty to aid the jury, in forming an opinion of the evidence as well as the law, which are frequently so blended, that it is difficult to take a distinct and unconnected view of each separately. The whole case was finally and fairly left to the jury, and they have found the defendant guilty. I think they were well author-ised to find such a verdict; a new trial must, therefore, be refused.
Smith, Bkevakd, and Grimke, Js., concurred.