People v. Oates

This case, one of prosecution of a 28-year-old brother for having brutally beaten his younger sister, calls into play the self-disciplinary firmness which, 36 years ago, was voiced here by a distinguished predecessor. On that occasion another prosecutor said to the Court that the “real” question was: “Should the respondent in this case have been convicted?” Mr. Justice Fellows, speaking for himself and 3 other members of the Court, rejoined (People v. Rich, 237 Mich 481, 497):

“The ‘rea? question, and the only question for this Court, sitting as a reviewing court, is whether there is…