Case Name: UNITED STATES v. POCKLINGTON
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1822-04
Citations: 27 F. Cas. 580
Docket Number: 
Parties: UNITED STATES v. POCKLINGTON.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 27
Pages: 580–580

Head Matter:
Case No. 16,060.
UNITED STATES v. POCKLINGTON.
[2 Cranch, C. C. 293.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
April Term, 1822.
Criminal Law—Confessions.
The confession of a prisoner, under hopes excited by the examining magistrate that his punishment would be thereby mitigated, cannot be given in evidence against him.
The prisoner [John Pocklington] was indicted for breaking open the storehouse of R. &. E. in Georgetown. He was examined before the mayor of that town, who informed him that one of the party had confessed a part of the charge; and that if he would confess candidly the truth, he would represent his case to the court, and it was probable his punishment might be thereby mitigated.

Opinion:
THE COURT
refused to permit his confession, made under those circumstances, to be given in evidence.
Verdict, not guilty.