Lewis v. State
Mississippi Supreme Court
ERROR from the circuit court of Warren county ; Hon. George Coalter, judge. At the October term of the circuit court of Warren county, in the year 1846, the slave Lewis was indicted for the murder of the slave David, and being tried was found guilty.
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ERROR from the circuit court of Warren county ; Hon. George Coalter, judge. At the October term of the circuit court of Warren county, in the year 1846, the slave Lewis was indicted for the murder of the slave David, and being tried was found guilty. On the impanelling of the jury in this case, William A. Haynes, one of the special venire summoned in the case, was called, and being sworn to answer questions to the interrogatory of the district attorney, said he had not formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner, and was thereupon tendered by the district…
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Clayton
Several errors are alleged to have occurred upon the trial of this cause, to the prejudice of the prisoner.
The first relates to the rejection of William A. Haynes as a juror. This person, after having stated that he had formed and expressed no opinion in the case, was tendered to the prisoner as a juror, when he voluntarily stated to the court that he had conscientious scruples about finding any man guilty of murder, and could not conscientiously take the oath. The court thereupon discharged him, without challenge, either upon the part of the state, or of the accused. This is claimed to be…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- People v. DamonNew York Supreme Court · 1835
- McDaniel v. StateMississippi Supreme Court · 1872
3Cited by4 opinions
- Giles v. CaliforniaSupreme Court of the United States · 2008
- Allen v. WillardSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1868
- Giles v. CaliforniaSupreme Court of the United States · 2008
- Giles v. CaliforniaSupreme Court of the United States · 2008