Case Name: United States v. Kurtz, Tarlton, and Spaulding
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1836-03
Citations: 4 Cranch 682
Docket Number: 
Parties: United States v. Kurtz, Tarlton, and Spaulding.
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: 682–683

Head Matter:
United States v. Kurtz, Tarlton, and Spaulding.
If a person, arrested for larceny, makes a confession, to the officer, as to that larceny, under a promise, by the officer, to do what he could for him. if he would tell where the stolen goods were; and afterwards, before the magistrate, without any new promise or threat or question, makes a confession of a different larceny; such latter confession is admissible evidence against the party upon his trial for such latter larceny.
Indictment for stealing “fifteen pieces of silver coin of the value of fifty cents each, and twenty pieces of silver coin of the value of twenty-five cents each, of the moneys, goods, and chattels of one Nicholas Callan.”

Opinion:
A former indictment for the same theft had been quashed because the description of the property stolen was too vague. (Ante 674.)
The defendant Spaulding having been arrested by two of the constables, Robinson and Jeffers, upon a charge of stealing the goods of one Singstack, was told by them that they could not .discharge him; and must take him before a magistrate, but that if he would tell them where the goods could be found, they would do what they could for him. The defendants were suspected also of having stolen Callan's money on a former day, but nothing was- said by the constables to Spaulding about that theft of Cal-lan's money, when they told him they would do what they could for him. Spaulding told Robinson where to find Singstack's goods, and they were found accordingly. Spaulding made other confessions to Robinson about Singstack's goods; and afterwards, without any new promise, made. confession before the justice, as to Callan's money.
In the trial of Spaulding for stealing Singstack's goods the CouRT rejected his confession made under the promise of favor; but in the trial of Spaulding and others, for stealing Callan's money, the Court admitted -his confession as to that theft; there having been no promise as to that charge, nor any request that he would confess. The confession was not made to Robinson, but to the j ustiee.
Verdict guilty. Sentenced to the penitentiary. Pardoned.