Court Opinion

ID: 8629364
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-24 19:35:11.869702+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:55:42.916334
License: Public Domain

BOND, Circuit Judge.
We are of the opinion after consideration of the arguments presented in this cause that the third section of the act of congress of 1833, under which this petition is filed, is not applicable to criminal indictments. We are of opinion that the petitioner must file his petition under the seventh section of the act, alleging the fact that the act for which he is prosecuted and indicted was done in his capacity as an officer of the United States, and in pursuance of his duty as such, and in execution of the power with which he was clothed. Upon consideration of such petition, and proof of the facts alleged, the court would discharge the party, and, if satisfied the facts were not proven as alleged, would remand the prisoner to the state court for trial. This petition is not filed under the seventh, but under the third, section of the act of 1833; and, as we are of the opinion that this section applies only to civil causes, it must be dismissed and the cause remanded.
[A second petition, filed January 7, 1874, sought relief under the seventh section of the act of March 2, 1833. A writ of habeas corpus was granted, and on the return thereof the following opinion was delivered:]
BOND. Circuit Judge. From a consideration of the facts and the arguments of counsel in this case, while I am of opinion that the homicide for which this petitioner is in custody was accidental, yet, as the burden of proof in support of the facts alleged in his petition is upon the prisoner to show that justification which is contemplated by ihe seventh section of the act of 1S33, I cannot satisfy myself that he has fully and affirmatively done so. This he must do before I have jurisdiction to discharge him, and I can •only therefore now dismiss the petition.