Commonwealth v. Poisson
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Indictment in six counts. The fourth count charged the defendant with unlawfully exposing and keeping for sale intoxicating liquors at Fall River. The sixth count charged the defendant with keeping a disorderly house at Fall River.
Read the full summary
Indictment in six counts. The fourth count charged the defendant with unlawfully exposing and keeping for sale intoxicating liquors at Fall River. The sixth count charged the defendant with keeping a disorderly house at Fall River. At the trial in the Superior Court, before Braley, J., upon these two counts alone, the defendant, before the jury was sworn and after they had been called, requested the judge to put to them the following questions: “ 1. Have you any prejudice or bias against the sale of liquor that would prevent you from giving the same weight to the testimony of a person engaged…
1Opinion of the CourtHolmes, J.
1. Under Pub. Sts. c. 170, § 35, (Gen. Sts. c. 132, § 29, Rev. Sts. c. 95, § 27,) the examination of jurors as to interest or bias in the cause, etc., beyond the inquiries provided for expressly by the statute, was left to the discretion of the presiding judge. Commonwealth v. Burroughs, 145 Mass. 242, 244. Commonwealth v. Thrasher, 11 Gray, 55. Commonwealth v. Gee, 6 Cush. 174, 177. See Commonwealth v. Trefethen, ante, 180. It would be unfortunate if all control of such an examination should be taken from the court, and we do not interpret the St. of 1887, c. 149, as having that effect. On…
2Cases cited6 opinions
- Commonwealth v. CunninghamMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1870
- Robinson v. RandallIllinois Supreme Court · 1876
- Commonwealth v. BurroughsMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1887
- Commonwealth v. WorcesterMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1886
- Shields v. StateIndiana Supreme Court · 1884
1 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by32 opinions
- Simmons v. FishMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1912
- Guinan v. Famous Players-Lasky Corp.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1929
- Bryant v. StateCourt of Appeals of Maryland · 1991
- Commonwealth v. GeaganMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1959
- Commonwealth v. SaccoMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1926
27 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.