Hackett v. People

Plaintiff in error was tried and convicted upon an indictment for murder. He is now, and has been for upwards of five and one-half years last past, in the penitentiary under a sentence of imprisonment for life. Several errors are assigned, but we deem it unnec*391essary to consider any, save two. The jury after deliberating for a considerable length of time, and being brought into court at their own request, propounded the following question: “ Can the jury indorse on the verdict a recommendation for mercy? ” To which question the court answered by a written instruction that they could indorse…