Snead v. Commonwealth

I think that the restrictive rules of evidence sometimes defeat a fair inquiry into relevant facts. For this reason I am unwilling to extend any of these rules, and this consideration constrains me to dissent from the conclusions of the majority in this case.

The cases in which this question has arisen have generally' been eases where the unanswered letter or document states damaging facts which, unless repelled by him, indicate the guilt of the accused, and hence his failure to reply to it is urged as showing an admission of the truth of the facts so stated. The letter here involved, however,…