State v. Gilman
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine
On exceptions to the ruling of GIoodenow, J. Indictment for murder. The question raised by the exceptions is stated in the opinion of the Court. , The deceased, Harriet B. Swan, was found in bed and lifeless, on the morning of June 18, 1861. The prisoner had resided in the family of the deceased more than two years, fie was accused by the daughter, that morning, t>f being the murderer of her mother.
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On exceptions to the ruling of GIoodenow, J. Indictment for murder. The question raised by the exceptions is stated in the opinion of the Court. , The deceased, Harriet B. Swan, was found in bed and lifeless, on the morning of June 18, 1861. The prisoner had resided in the family of the deceased more than two years, fie was accused by the daughter, that morning, t>f being the murderer of her mother. On the same day, a coroner’s inquest was held on the body of the deceased, before which the prisoner was called by the coroner, and sworn, and testified. His testimony was taken down in writing by…
1Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was drawn up by
Rice, J.
To elicit truth is the'object of human testimony. All rules for the production of testimony are constructed with a view to accomplish this object. Testimony, therefore, which, in the opinion of the lawgiver, tends to this end, is received, while that which is of an opposite or even doubtful tendency, is rejected as untrustworthy and incompetent.
In criminal cases, the common law is more guarded in its rules for the introduction of testimony, than in civil proceedings, and, from its regard for life and liberty, excludes many facts and…
2Cited by19 opinions
- State v. CollinsSupreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1972
- State v. CampbellSupreme Court of Kansas · 1906
- The People v. NachowiczIllinois Supreme Court · 1930
- Tuttle v. PeopleSupreme Court of Colorado · 1905
- Gendron v. BurnhamSupreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1951
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