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68 Mass. 294

Commonwealth v. Hilliard

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Decided October 15, 1854

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · decided 1854-10-15

At the trial of the defendant, before the chief justice and Justices Metcalf and Bigelow, on the 25th of May 1855, for the murder of James L. Warren, there was evidence tending to prove an assault by the deceased upon the defendant, immediately before the striking of the mortal blow.

Decided 1854-10-15

By the Court.

¶1The evidence is inadmissible. If such evidence were admitted on behalf of the prisoner, it would be competent for the Commonwealth to show that the deceased was of a mild and peaceable character. Such evidence is too remote and uncertain to have any legitimate bearing on the question at issue. The provocation under which the defendant acted must be judged of by the res gestee; and the evidence must be confined to the facts and circumstances attending the assault by the deceased upon the defendant.

¶2Verdict, guilty of mcmslmghter.

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