People v. Osborn

1 Wheel. Cr. Cas. 97

• Court: New York Court of Common Pleas
• Decided: December 15, 1822
• Status: Published

Opinion

By the Court.

“This cannot be done. The present “ inquiry is, is the defendant guilty of committing the as“sault and battery complained of in the indictment. The “ fact of a prosecution having been commenced by Stubbs “ of a different nature from the one now under inquiry, “ can have no bearing at all on the present question, and “ cannot make a part of this case.”

Maxwell called witnesses to the character of the prosecutor ; they testified they .would believe him upon oath, &c.

“ A great number of witnesses have “ been called ; some testify that he is an honest and in- “ dustrious man, others that his character is bad, and that “ they would not believe him under oath. The credibility , “of a witness is a proper subject for the consideration of “ a jury. They are to decide what degree of credit

* ought “ to attach to the testimony of any man. As to the law “of the case,” the court observed, “the prosecutor had a “ right to come on board the defendant’s vessel for the “ purpose of demanding payment of his wages. And that “ the defendant also bad a right to order him off, allowing “ a proper time to demand his wages: that if he did not “ go, the defendant had a right to use a force sufficient to “ turn him off: hut in the amount and exercise of this force, “ he must take care that it wás not more than was neees- “ sary to effect that object.

“ In the first case he is justifiable, iu the second he is “ not.” And the court left it to the jury to say, whether more force than was necessary was used.

The jury retired, and in a short time returned with a verdict of guilty.

Note.—11 The doctrine of evidence upon criminal prosecutions is, in “ most respects, the same as in civil actions. The rules of credibili- “ ty are evidently, in common re.ason, the same in both cases; and “ the chief distinction arises from that caution which always pre- “ vails when life is in question, and the anxiety of judges, to look on “ every circumstance with the most favorable eye for the defendant. “In one instance, indeed, the superior interest which the public have “in the punishment of offenders, produces a striking difference; for “ the party agrieved is allowed to give evidence against the prisoner, “ though he is frequently permitted, by restoration of stolen goods, “ by rewards, by reimbursement of costs, or other means, to derive a “ benefit on his ^inviction : no injustice need, however, arise from ,1 this exception, which has been found essentially necessary for the “ purposes of public justice : because the credibility of the witness is “ still left to the jury, and.they are left to estimate the probable in- “ fluence of interest, or of revenge,' on the testimony which he deli- “ vers.” Chit. vol. 1. p. 453. See also Esp. Rep. 136—139—144.

1 Leach, 300—302. 2 T. R. 201. 3." Camp. 401.

f0u0wing principles will apply to the testimony of witnesses examined upon a trial either'in a civil or criminal dase:

1. Where a witness comes fairly before the jury, and who, from the circumstances of the case, is the best evidence the nature of the case will admit, e. i. was present-at the time &c., his evidence should not be doubted, with the exception that— •

1. His credibility is a subject for the consideration of the jury: and

1st. His character. Black. Com. vol. 3. p. 395. Peak’s Ev. 140.

2d. Being interested. I T. R. 300. Fortes. Rep. 247.

2. The manner of giving testimony: his evidence is to be doubted.

1. If he is hurried and confused.

2. If he attempts to equivocate, palliate, or deny.

3. If his character is shown to be bad either by his own conduct before the jury, or by the testimony of others. Ball N. P.284. 1 Vent. 97.

4. If his interest in the issue of the trial is such as to afford a reasonable ground of suspicion that he givesuhis testimony under the operation of that feeling. 1. T. R. 163. Roll. ab. 685. Rudd’s Case : Leach 151.

With respect to the quantum of testimony or number of witnesses, it is a settled rule of law that—

1. One good witness is sufficient to prove any fact before the jury, in all cases except treason and perjury. Chit. 456. Black, vol. 4. p. 357. Garth. 144. Black. Com. vol. 4. p. 357.

2. The confession of the prisoner himself of any crime has always been held sufficient evidence of his guilt. Ibid.-j

Presumptive testimony. Of this species of testimony there are three kinds.

1. Violent.

2. Probable,

3. Ljght.

Violent presumption is a kind of circumstantial evidence amounting to positive proof. For example,

. 1. If A was seen coming out of a room, in which he had been with another, with a bloody sword. And if a man was found recently murdered in that room. And if A on being lenged showed marks of fear, it would amount to positive proof that A was the murderer. And

2. If a landlord sues for rent due at Michaelmas, 1754, and the tenant cannot prove the payment, but produces an acquittance for rent due at a subsequent time, in full of all demands, .this is a violent presumption of his having paid the former rent, and is equivalent to full proof; for though the actual payment is not proved,'yet the acquittance in full of all demands is proved, which could not be without such payment ; and it therefore induces so forcible a presumption, that no proof shall be admitted to the contrary. Co. Litt. 373. Gibb. Evid. 161.

2. Probable presumption arising from such circumstances as usually attend the fact: for example,

1st. Suit for rent due in 1754. The tenant proves the payment of the rent due in 1755. This will also exonerate the tenant. Co. Litt. 373. On proof of payment in 1755, payment will be presumed in 1754. Jac. Law Die. vol, 2. p. 447.

3. Light presumptions move not at all. Ibid.

For the doctrine of presumptive evidence, see the case of Mary Smith, post.