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7 Abb. Pr. 348

McFarland's Case

New York Court of General Session of the Peace · decided 1870-02-15

Motion by the district-attorney to transfer the case to the oyer and terminer. The defendant was indicted in the court of general sessions, on the 17th day of December, 1869, for the murder of one Albert D. Richardson. He was arraigned on the indictment, and pleaded not guilty. Subsequently, and on the 28th day of January, 1870, the court of general sessions on his motion entered an order, directing two several commissions to issue, to examine foreign witnesses in his behalf.

Decided 1870-02-15

By the Court.—Bedford, City Judge.

¶1The district-attorney moves to transfer to the oyer and terminer certain indictments found in this court.

¶2The power of tranferring to and fro is a proper jurisdictional one of either of said courts (People v. Shepard, 11 Abb. Pr., 59). It is one of discretion. I think the power should never" be exercised without public motion, and on notice to the district-attorney, if proposed by *352one under indictment; or if proposed by the district-attorney, on notice to the adverse counsel or party.

¶3In one of the cases asked to be transferred, the counsel for defendant raises certain objections. Criminal cases are now too much burdened with questions naturally arising, to have unnecessary ones raised that may additionally embarrass their due disposition. I shall, therefore, decline to transfer the McFarland case, in which the objection is made. I will transfer any case in which both district-attorney and the accused, or by his counsel, agree in writing to the transfer; but if either object, I would like to be informed on argument •of the reasons pro and con before exercising discretion.

¶4After arriving at this decision, I consulted with my colleague, Recorder Hackett, whose views with regard to this question I will here mention fully coincide with my own, as above seated.

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