Adkins v. Commonwealth’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

29 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 31 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““This principle runs through all the decisions cited and the burden is at all times, on the Commonwealth to sustain it. But, when as in this case, the separation is one of necessity or is temporary only and all the facts and circumstances indicate that no communication by outsiders was had with the jnry, and no opportunity afforded for them to be influenced in any way, the affidavits of the jurors are sufficient to overcome the burden; and when sueh_are filed, all the cases hold that such separation will not affect the verdict, and in this way the various decisions quoted may be reconciled.' ’”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. York v. Commonwealth

2. ““He does not claim that he shot accidentally or that there was an error in his marksmanship, but contends that he was shooting at Bob Blevins in an effort to save his own life. Under such circumstances his justification or culpability in shooting Jerry Bowling is'measured by the same rule as it would have been if he had shot Bob instead of Jerry and was on trial for shooting Bob.'” ■ • - •”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Clark v. Commonwealth

3. “In all oases of*separation “it must be shown clearly by the state that no opportunity has been afforded for the exercise of improper influences on the juror.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. York v. Commonwealth