Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

1 Cal. Unrep. 19

People v. Taylor

California Supreme Court

Decided February 18, 1856

California Supreme Court · decided 1856-02-18

Sessions, Sacramento County. The defendants were charged with grand larceny and the imputed theft was of four hundred and fifty ounces of gold-dust. At the trial a witness, on being asked by the prosecution if he could point out the man whom he “saw have the dust,” said that he “must give a qualified answer.” The court instructed him to answer directly, adding that after so doing he might give any explanation of his answer that the facts warranted.

Decided 1856-02-18

MURRAY, C. J.

¶1— The assignments of error are not well made, and whatever objection the defendants had to the indictment, should have been taken before they plead to the same. The instruction of the court may not be technically correct, but it was nowhere shown by the defense that the gold-dust was taken by any claim of right, other than the higher right, which thieves often assert, but which has never within our knowledge been successfully maintained in 'any respectable court of justice. The case is a bold larceny, barren of any defense, except ingenious quibbles, and we regret that we are not permitted to treat it as an appeal for delay and impose damages.

¶2Judgment affirmed.

I concur: Terry, J.
/1/calunrep/19 · .json · Public domain