Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

1 N.C. 237

State v. Avera

Supreme Court of North Carolina

Decided January 15, 1817

Supreme Court of North Carolina · decided 1817-01-15

THE Defendant was indicted for perjury r J J before the Grand Jury of Johnston Superior Court, while they had under examination an indictment preferred against S. Norsworthy for forgery. This bill charged Nors-worthy with fotging a deed under the hand and seal of Avera, and for uttering and publishing the same, knowing it to be forged.

Decided 1817-01-15

Seawell, J.

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court.

¶2The charge in this indictment against the Defendant is, that on a former bill before the Grand Jury he swore that he did not execute” a certain deed, but that it wt,s forged by Norswarthy. The Jury find him not guilty of the perjury, so far as relates to the charge that he swore Norsworthy forged the deed ; but guilty in “ denying his signature'' Nqjv the Defendant might have executed the deed, and still the fact be, that he never actually signed it; as in a case where one person signs another’s name by direction, and a sealing and delivery takes place by the party whose name is so written. In a case, therefore, quite supposable, wherein the Defendant may be innocent, it is certainly against all authority to presume him guilty. There must, therefore, be judgment for the Defendant.

/1/nc/237 · .json · Public domain