State v. James
Supreme Court of Connecticut
■ Two informations by the attorney for the state in Eairfielcl County, one for theft and the other for breaking jail; brought to the Superior Court in Fairfield county, and tried to the jury upon pleas of not guilty before Minor, J. On the trial the counsel for the prisoner claimed that if the jury entertained a reasonable doubt of the guilt of the prisoner it was their duty to acquit him, and requested the court so to charge.
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■ Two informations by the attorney for the state in Eairfielcl County, one for theft and the other for breaking jail; brought to the Superior Court in Fairfield county, and tried to the jury upon pleas of not guilty before Minor, J. On the trial the counsel for the prisoner claimed that if the jury entertained a reasonable doubt of the guilt of the prisoner it was their duty to acquit him, and requested the court so to charge. The court charged the jury that they must he satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt, from the testimony in the case, of the guilt of the prisoner, before they could find a…
1Opinion of the CourtSeymour, J.
In the first of these cases the accused seeks a new trial on the ground that the judge’s chai’ge was calculated to mislead the jury in respect to what constitutes a reasonable doubt of guilt in criminal causes. 1
After stating the rule in the usual form the judge added, “ in explanation of what was meant by a reasonable doubt, that if upon retiring to the jury room any one of the jury should find his mind hesitating to come to a conclusion as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner, and on examination of the testimony in the case should enquire of himself whether after all the prisoner is…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Hendee v. TaylorSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1861
3Cited by5 opinions
- State v. SmithSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1894
- Summerour v. FortsonSupreme Court of Georgia · 1932
- Pueblo v. VilarSupreme Court of Puerto Rico · 1911
- Taff v. StateSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1872
- People v. VilarSupreme Court of Puerto Rico · 1911