Commonwealth v. Smith
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Indictment for burning the dwelling house of Giles F. Allen, at Dartmouth, on June 28, 1874. At the trial in the Superior Court, before Pitman, J., there was evidence tending to show the following facts: On the night of June 28,1874, said Allen and his wife went to bed at about nine o’clock.
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Indictment for burning the dwelling house of Giles F. Allen, at Dartmouth, on June 28, 1874. At the trial in the Superior Court, before Pitman, J., there was evidence tending to show the following facts: On the night of June 28,1874, said Allen and his wife went to bed at about nine o’clock. The rest of the family, consisting of a young son of twelve, his sister-in-law, and two small children, and also his hired man, Head, and the defendant, a colored servant girl, between fourteen and fifteen years of age, employed for her food and clothing, had all previously retired to bed between eight…
1Opinion of the CourtEndicott, J.
There was evidence that the dwelling house had been set on fire by some one, and there were facts and circumstances pointing to the defendant as the probable incendiary. After her arrest and while in custody, she confessed that she set the fire, and stated how she did it. This evidence was objected to, but as it did not appear that any threats or promises were made on the part of the officers, it was properly admitted ; and the fact, that the defendant was but fourteen years of age, and under arrest, and made the confession to officers, does not render it incompetent. Commonwealth v. Cuffee,…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- Commonwealth v. CuffeeMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1871
- Commonwealth v. CullenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1873
3Cited by17 opinions
- Commonwealth v. RussMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1919
- Commonwealth v. MeehanMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1979
- People v. BarkerMichigan Supreme Court · 1886
- Commonwealth v. PiperMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1876
- Commonwealth v. PreeceMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1885
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