Court Opinion

ID: 8518394
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-23 08:57:30.713403+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:51:25.173705
License: Public Domain

By the Court

Let the bond be read.
Potter then offered to prove, that the warrant was in the possession of one of the defendants, to let in parole proof of its contents.
Goodenow and Bedick objected to the evidence being received, because no notice had been given to produce the warrant. They *82contended, that no evidence of the contents of a paper in ’ * £he possession of the defendant, could be given, unless he had been regularly notified to produce it, and had refused.
President. — The 92d section of the “ acc to organize the judicial courts and regulate their practice,” which authorises the court on motion, and on ten days notice, to require the parties to produce books and writings in their possession, does not extend to criminal prosecutions. It is said, in some of the books, that the rule as to notice, is the same in criminal as in civil cases; but I think not. The production of books and papers may be compelled in civil cases, or judgment will be given against the party refusing. Not so in criminal cases. In criminal prosecutions, or penal causes, the defendant is never forced to produce any evidence, though he should hold it in his hand in the court. 4th Burr, 2484. The counsel for the state is holden to give the best evidence which, by the aid of legal process, can be procured. A writing, in the hands of one of the defendants, is as much out of his power as though it was destroyed; he cannot have the aid of this court in getting possession of it; it would answer no purpose to give notice to produce it, and there can be no surprise upon him in this case; therefore as a paper destroyed by accident, if you prove it in the defendant’s possession, you may prove its contents by parole.
It was then proven, that after the warrant was returned to the magistrate, Wallahan procured it from him, took it away, and had not returned it.
Dickey, the constable, testified, that a warrant exactly in the form prescribed bylaw, directed to him as constable'of the township, and signed by-Springer, Esq. an acting magistrate, was put into his hands to serve; it directed him to take the body of the defendant, John Wallahan: he then stated the manner of his executing the warrant, and the resistance made by the defendants. Several other witnesses were examined. When the evidence on both sides was through, Bedick called Dickey, shewed him a paper, and asked him if it was not the warrant. Dickey said that it was.
Bedick, in his argument to the jury, began to read the warrant, to prove that it varied materially from Dickey’s proof of it.
Potter objected to the warrant being read, as it had not been produced and read in evidence.
*83President. — The paper now attempted to be made use of, was in the defendant’s possession in court; he could not ^e compelled to produce it; he sat by and held this paper, the state had given parole evidence of its contents; he had a right to do this; but he did it at the peril of letting that parole evidence stand in the place of the writing. Papers must, be shewn to the court, and proven, before they can be read in evidence; but if this had been shewn to the court at the time it was proven, it could not have been admitted. The warrant is a public paper: the defendant is wrongfully in possession of it: he shall not compel the state to give parole evidence of it, and then be permitted to produce it for any purpose whatever.
The jury were directed to deliver their verdict to either of the judges, as soon as they should agree, as the court was about adjourning until the next day.
The President was attending a meeting in the court house when the jury left the room; he observed them passing down the stairs and went to them; he asked them if they had agreed in their verdict; they informed him they had agreed, and had also agreed to deliver it in court the next morning. He then desired tbern to return to their room; he went with them, and found that but eight of the jurors were present; four had got out of the door before they were spoken to. The constable was sent for the four, and the President waited until he returned with them. They were then asked if they had agreed on their verdict before they left the room: they all stated that they had so agreed, and that they bad not understood the direction given them by the court. The President then received their verdict.
The jury returned a general verdict of Guilty.
The next morning, Goodenow argued that the verdict could not lawfully be recorded, because, in all criminal cases, if the jury separate before delivering in their verdict, it cannot be received. He said> the rule was the same in all criminal cases, whether capital or not.
President. — No privy verdict can be given in criminal cases which concern life, because the jury are commanded to look upon the prisoner when they give their verdict, and so the prisoner is to be there present at the same time. But in criminal cases, where the defendant is not required to be present in person at the time of the verdict (and *84su0^ a case) a P^vy verdict may be given. Ray. 19 3-If the jury had. separated before they had agreed on their verdict, I should not have received it; but being satisfied at ^g that the jury had agreed before they left their room, and that they mistook the direction given to them, and had no consultation together after they left the room until they gave in their verdict, I did not hesitate to receive it; for it does not avoid a verdict, that some of the jury leave the rest for a time, after they are agreed. Barnes, 441. The court should always be satisfied that the verdict delivered, is the verdict agreed upon by the whole jury, and that before they have separated. We are satisfied this verdict is such, and therefore let it be recorded.
Motion for a new trial :
1st. Because the court instructed the jury, that it was not necessary, on the part of the prosecution, to prove that the person who issued the warrant, was a justice of the peace.
2nd. Because the verdict was contrary to evidence.
President. — The jury were directed, that evidence having been given to prove that Mr. Springer, who issued the warrant, was an acting justice of the peace, such evidence, if believed by them, was sufficient, without producing his commission, or proving his qualification into office.
To satisfy the court they have given an erroneous opinion, gentlemen of the bar would do well not to rely solely on their own ingenuity, but rather to follow the guidance of established principles and approved adjudications. If such had been consulted, it would have been seen that the direction was correct. 2d Str. 1005. 3d Ter. R. 632. 4th Ter. R. 360. Leach Cr. Ca. 2d Ed. 412.
As to the 2d reason assigned — it may be sufficient to observe, that we are satisfied with the decision of the jury upon the evidence. The motion is overruled.