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32 Me. 195

State v. Walker

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Decided July 1, 1850

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine · decided 1850-07-01

Exceptions from the District Court. Indictment, alleging that the defendants conspired to charge one Levi R. Gray, and cause him to be impleaded of an offence, of which he was not guilty.

Decided 1850-07-01

Shepley, C. J.,

¶1orally.—The charge is, that the defendants conspired to prosecute Gray, an innocent person. After testimony on that point had been offered, the State was permitted to prove, that the defendants had combined to bring suits against other persons, with whom Gray had no connection. It is not proved or pretended, that these suits were illegal or unsuccessful. The charge was, that the defendants conspired to prosecute Gray without cause. The proof was, that they prosecuted others for good cause, in a legal manner, and with success.

¶2Such proof was inadmissible. It could only create prejudice. The prosecution of guilty persons is not proof of a conspiracy to prosecute the innocent.

¶3Exceptions sustained.

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