Heard v. Pierce
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
In this case, which was argued at a former term, by J. G. Abbott, for the plaintiff, and B. F. Butler, for the defendant, on exceptions taken by the plaintiff to the rulings of the court of common pleas, the facts are sufficiently stated in the opinion.
1Opinion of the CourtFletcher, J.
The material facts in this case, which is trespass for an assault and battery, may be very briefly stated. The defendant was duly summoned as a witness to testify before the grand jury, and appeared before them, but refused to be sworn, and conducted himself improperly and disrespectfully toward the jury. The plaintiff, who was the officer in attendance on the grand jury, was directed by them to detain the defendant in custody, that he might be brought before the court, to be dealt with for his refusal to be sworn, and his improper and disrespectful conduct toward the jury. For the purpose of…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- United States v. HillU.S. Circuit Court for the District of Virginia · 1809
- Rouse v. MooreNew York Supreme Court · 1820
3Cited by2 opinions
- Commonwealth Ex Rel. Cartwright v. CartwrightSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1944
- Merchants' Ins. v. DwyerTexas Commission of Appeals · 1880