Ex parte Lawrence

Decided December 18, 1812

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · decided 1812-12-18

PHILLIPS on behalf of Ann Lawrence, petitioned the Court for a habeas corpus under the act of 1783, to one Joseph Fogdes, to bring up the body of Adam Lawrence then in his custody as a slave, whereas, according to the suggestion, he was free. It was stated by the counsel, that the case had been already heard upon a habeas corpus by the Common Pleas of Philadelphia county, who remanded the prisoner; and that there was no new evidence to lay before this Court.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently September 1856

2 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1812-12-18

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Per Curiam.

¶1We do not think that the act 'of assembly obliges this Court to grant a habeas corpus, where the case has been already heard upon the same evidence by another court; and we do not think it expedient in this case, because it has been already heard upon the same evidence, and the party is not without remedy, as he may resort to a homine replegiando. The Court are not however to be understood as saying, that they have not authority to issue a habeas corpus in such a case, if they should think it expedient.

¶2Habeas corpus refused.