Williamson v. Commonwealth

Decided December 15, 1847

General Court of Virginia · decided 1847-12-15

Williamson alias North was indicted at the October term 1847, of the Circuit Court for Henrico and the City of Richmond. The indictment contained three counts. The first was for larceny, in stealing a slave named John Henry, the property of William H. Roy.

Decided 1847-12-15

Smith, J.

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court.

¶2It is the unanimous opinion of the Judges of this Court, that the decision of the Circuit Court, admitting the declarations of the man Allen to be given in evidence, was erroneous, there not being sufficient proof of a conspiracy or connection between him and the prisoner, to justify the giving of his declarations in evidence. The judgment of the Circuit Court is therefore reversed, and a new trial awarded; on which trial, the declarations of Allen are not to be given in evidence, unless a sufficient foundation is laid therefor.