Legal Opinion

Commonwealth v. Hall

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Decided June 21, 1895PublishedCited by 4 opinions

Indictment in eight counts. The first, third, fifth, and seventh counts charged the forging of certain orders; and the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth counts charged the uttering of the same. Trial in the Superior Court, before Mason, C. J., who allowed a bill of exceptions, in substance as follows.

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Indictment in eight counts. The first, third, fifth, and seventh counts charged the forging of certain orders; and the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth counts charged the uttering of the same. Trial in the Superior Court, before Mason, C. J., who allowed a bill of exceptions, in substance as follows. The evidence of witnesses for the government tended to show that the defendant, in person, presented the several orders set out in the indictment, and obtained the articles named in the orders. Several of the witnesses for the government testified that, at the time of the presentation of the…

1Opinion of the CourtMorton, J.

The witness Graves was clearly competent to testify as an expert to the handwriting of the defendant. He testified that he had seen him write frequently, and there was nothing to control this testimony. It is well settled that one acquainted with the handwriting of another may testify concerning it. Keith v. Lothrop, 10 Cush. 453. Commonwealth v. Nefus, 135 Mass. 533, 534. Hopkins v. Megquire, 35 Maine, 78. Hammond v. Varian, 54 N. Y. 398. Lewis v. Sapio, Mood. & Malk. 39. Garrells v. Alexander, 4 Esp. 37. Tharpe v. Gisburne, 2 C. & P. 21. Best, Ev. (1st Am. ed.) § 232, n. 1. The defendant…

2Cases cited5 opinions

  1. Commonwealth v. SturtivantMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1875
  2. City of Fort Wayne v. CoombsIndiana Supreme Court · 1886
  3. Nunes v. PerryMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1873
  4. Hammond v. . VarianNew York Court of Appeals · 1873
  5. Commonwealth v. NefusMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1883

3Cited by4 opinions

  1. Commonwealth v. FrenchMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1970
  2. State v. ButlerSupreme Court of New Jersey · 1960
  3. Commonwealth v. DoucetteMassachusetts Appeals Court · 1986
  4. Commonwealth v. MeehanMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1898

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