Commonwealth v. Mink
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Indictment for the murder of Charles Ricker at Lowell, in the county of Middlesex, on August 31, 1876. Trial before Ames and Morton, JJ., who allowed a bill of exceptions in substance as follows : It was proved that Charles Ricker came to his death by a shot from a pistol in the hand of the defendant.
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Indictment for the murder of Charles Ricker at Lowell, in the county of Middlesex, on August 31, 1876. Trial before Ames and Morton, JJ., who allowed a bill of exceptions in substance as follows : It was proved that Charles Ricker came to his death by a shot from a pistol in the hand of the defendant. The defendant introduced evidence tending to show that she had been engaged to be married to Ricker; that an interview was had between them at her room, in the course of which he expressed his intention to break off the engagement and abandon her entirely that she thereupon went to her trunk,…
1Opinion of the CourtGray, C. J.
The life of every human being is under the protection of the law, and cannot be lawfully taken by himself, or by another with his consent, except by legal authority. By the common law of England, suicide was considered a crime against the laws of God and man, the goods and chattels of the criminal were forfeited to the King, his body had an ignominious burial in the highway, and he was deemed a murderer of himself and a felon, felo de se. Hales v. Petit, Plowd. 253, 261. 3 Inst. 54. 1 Hale P. C. 411-417. 2 Hale P. C. 62. 1 Hawk. e. 27. 4 Bl. Com. 95,189,190. “ He who kills another upon his…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- Com'th v. BowenMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1816
- Commonwealth v. DennisMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1870
3Cited by43 opinions
- Washington v. GlucksbergSupreme Court of the United States · 1997
- Commonwealth v. PierceMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1884
- Nicholson on Behalf of Gollott v. StateMississippi Supreme Court · 1996
- Commonwealth v. CatalinaMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1990
- Von Ette's CaseMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1916
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