State v. Wright
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine
The defendant was indicted, tried and convicted of murder in the first degree, at the October term, 1863, Walton, J., presiding. The ease came before this Court on exceptions which appear in the opinion.
1Opinion of the CourtWalton, J.
The most important question raised by the bill of exceptions in this case is whether, in the trial of criminal cases, the jury may rightfully disregard the instructions of the Court, in matters of law, and, if they think the instructions wrong, convict or acquit contrary to such instructions. In other words, whether they are the ultimate, rightful and, paramount judges of the law as well as the facts.
Our conclusion is that such a doctrine cannot be maintained ; that it is contrary to the fundamental maxims of the common law; contrary to the uniform practice of the highest courts of judicature…
2Cases cited10 opinions
- Georgia v. BrailsfordSupreme Court of the United States · 1794
- Carpenter v. PeopleNew York Supreme Court · 1850
- Duffy v. . the PeopleNew York Court of Appeals · 1863
- State v. CroteauSupreme Court of Vermont · 1849
- Hardy v. StateSupreme Court of Missouri · 1842
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3Cited by13 opinions
- United States v. WoodSupreme Court of the United States · 1936
- The People v. BrunerIllinois Supreme Court · 1931
- State v. ParkSupreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1963
- State v. BurpeeSupreme Court of Vermont · 1892
- Kilgore v. StateSupreme Court of Alabama · 1883
8 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.