State v. . Matthews

Indictment for murder. From judgment, reciting that "the jury had rendered a verdict, in due form, that the defendant is guilty of murder in the first degree, with recommendation of mercy," and adjudging that "said Rory Matthews shall suffer death by electrocution in the manner provided by law," defendant appealed to the Supreme Court. The indictment to which defendant, upon his arraignment entered a plea of "Not Guilty," was sufficient in form to support either of four verdicts, to wit: (1) Guilty of murder in the first degree; or (2) guilty of murder in the second degree; or (3) guilty of…