State v. . Wentz

The prisoner was indicted for the murder of William Wentz, and convicted of murder in the second degree. When the case was called in this Court, counsel of the prisoner very frankly withdrew all assignments of error, as untenable, except three, which were reserved, as follows:

"1. The first of these is, that the court charged the jury as follows: `The prisoner has testified in his own behalf. You are to scrutinize his evidence — that is, examine it closely and carefully to ascertain whether you shall believe it. The same applies to the testimony of any of his near relations. The same principle…