Miller v. Curtis
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Tort, for an assault and battery on three separate occasions, the first in March, 1889, at Worcester, and the other two in May, 1889, at Spencer. Answer, a general denial. Trial in the Superior Court, before Corcoran, J., who allowed a bill of exceptions, in substance as follows.
Read the full summary
Tort, for an assault and battery on three separate occasions, the first in March, 1889, at Worcester, and the other two in May, 1889, at Spencer. Answer, a general denial. Trial in the Superior Court, before Corcoran, J., who allowed a bill of exceptions, in substance as follows. The plaintiff’s evidence showed that an assault and battery was made by the defendant upon the plaintiff, who is a married woman, and attempts by him to have sexual intercourse with her without her consent, at Worcester and at Spencer. The plaintiff and her husband were both witnesses, and, after they had testified,…
1Opinion of the CourtKnowlton, J.
The defendant was allowed to introduce evidence of several transactions and conversations with the plaintiff, all occurring more than twenty years ago, which tended to show that she had repeatedly made false charges of indecent assaults upon her, with a view to extort money from innocent men. The defendant denies the charge made against him in the suit, and contends that the plaintiff is trying unjustly to obtain money from him.
In any case, where the question is whether the defendant has committed a crime, it would naturally affect the opinion of jurors to know that he had often committed…
2Cases cited16 opinions
- Commonwealth v. JacksonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1882
- Commonwealth v. RobinsonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1888
- Maguire v. Middlesex RailroadMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1874
- White v. MurtlandIllinois Supreme Court · 1874
- Sheahan v. BarryMichigan Supreme Court · 1873
11 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by30 opinions
- Commonwealth v. LaVelleMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1993
- Commonwealth v. BinkiewiczMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1961
- Commonwealth v. McKayMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1973
- Commonwealth v. GardnerMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1966
- Richmond v. City of NorwichSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1921
25 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.