People v. Rockwell

Respondent was convicted of manslaughter for killing one Wilber. The death occurred during a dispute concerning the possession of a horse. Rockwell was shown to have struck Wilber with his fist and knocked him down. It was not shown directly how he was killed, but it appeared distinctly this blow did not kill him. The facts indicated either that Rockwell kicked him after he -fell, or else that he was killed by the horse trampling on him. On a first trial the jury disagreed. On a second trial, after being out some time, they came in and asked the court to instruct them “whether the respondent…