Commonwealth v. Ward
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
This was an indictment against “ Hiram Ward, Edmund Roberts, and Nathaniel Reed, all now residing in Portland, traders,” stating that they, being wicked and evil-disposed persons, and unjustly devising and intending to defraud one William P. Davis of said Portland, trader, of his moneys, goods, and merchandise, on the 13th day of April last past, at Portland aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, with force * and arms, falsely, fraudulently, and un- [ * 474 ] awfully, did…
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This was an indictment against “ Hiram Ward, Edmund Roberts, and Nathaniel Reed, all now residing in Portland, traders,” stating that they, being wicked and evil-disposed persons, and unjustly devising and intending to defraud one William P. Davis of said Portland, trader, of his moneys, goods, and merchandise, on the 13th day of April last past, at Portland aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, with force * and arms, falsely, fraudulently, and un- [ * 474 ] awfully, did conspire, combine, confederate and agree among themselves to obtain, acquire, and get into their hands and possession, of and…
1Opinion of the Court
The indictment concluded—“ And so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid, do say that the said Ward, Roberts, and Reed, in manner aforesaid, and according to the conspiracy, combination, confederacy, and agreement, aforesaid, him, the said William P. Davis, of the goods and merchandise aforesaid, then and there did cheat and defraud, in evil example to all others in like case to offend, and against the peace and dignity of the commonwealth aforesaid.’ The defendants pleaded not guilty.
In this case, the defendants were all found guilty, and were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment,…
2Cited by4 opinions
- State v. BuchananCourt of Appeals of Maryland · 1821
- People v. ArnoldMichigan Supreme Court · 1881
- Commonwealth v. HuntMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1842
- Commonwealth v. EastmanMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1848