People v. Thompson ( 1813 )

“It not appearing from.the record of the proceedings in this case, that the said Superior Court made any order discharging the jury of the said John Edloe Thompson’s case, after it had been charged with it; but on the contrary, it appearing from the said record, that upon the adjournment of the Superior Court, at the end of the term, the members of the said jury were necessarily separated, and its capacities and legal existence destroyed by operation of law. It is therefore unanimously decided by this court, that the said John Edloe Thompson ought not to be discharged from farther prosecution on the indictment in the said adjourned case mentioned, notwithstanding at a Superior Court of law held at a former term, he had been arraigned upon the said indictment; notwithstanding at the same court a jury was empannelled to pass between him and the Commonwealth, and charged with his case, and retired to consult of their verdict; and not agreeing, were confined the full legal term of the said court, and did not render any verdict in the said case, but separated on the adjournment of the court, at the end of the term.”

The jury may be discharged at any? time during the term, as appears by the case of the Commonwealth v. Mial Parker, Warren Parker, Margaret Burns, and Nancy Nute, for the murder of Francis L. Lloyd; Middlesex (Mass.) before the Hon. Chief Justice Parker. ' The prisoners were charged with the murder of Lloyd, °and were tried in Middlesex, in April, 1824. The cause, after a lucid and impartial charge by the Chief Justice, was committed to the jury about four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, who having remained together till nine o’clock on Wednesday morning, and having gone twice into court for farther advice and direction in matters of law, came into court and declared that it was impossible for them to agree upon a verdict, and they were thereupon discharged, and the prisoners remanded for a new trial.

And also the case of Joseph Perez, who was indicted for piracy, in the Circuit Court of the United States, September term, 1823, before the Hon. Justice Thompson. (Ante, p. 100.) In this case, the jury were out but about four hours. They came into court and received instructions upon.points of law, and again .retired and came in again, and said they were equally divided, and could never agree, and were discharged by Justice Thompson, A motion was made to discharge the prisoner. The case was carried up to the Supreme Court and argued, and the court decided Perez should be tried again. .-He was tried April 'Verm, 1824, before the Hon. Smith Thompson, and convicted.

See also, Haskill and Franshaw’s case, Circuit Court U. S. October, 1823, (Philadelphia,) before the Hon. Bushrod Washington, (ante, p. 101, 102.) In this case, a juror had become insahe from exhaustion. The jury were discharged, and the counsel for the prisoners prayed a discharge on the constitutional provision that nd , ,, , . . . , „ man shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same cause.The court decided they had a sound discretion to discharge a jury, it being essential for the due administraof justice,

wheretheyiry may be dlschaiged.

^ a juror be taken ill during a trial for a felony, the jury may be discharged by the court, and the prisoner be tried by another jury. Leach, 706.

If a prisoner be taken suddenly ill during the trial, the jury may be discharged from the trial of that indictment, and the prisoner on his recovery may be tried on the same indictment, by another jury. Leach, 618.

The court have a discretion to discharge a jury in a criminal case, capital or otherwise, whenever it is necessary to the administration of justice. 2 Gallison, 464, 2 John’s Cases, 275.

In Borden’s case, 9 Mass. Rep. 494. a juror was withdrawn, and the jury dismissed, after they had been out a long time: and on returning into court, said it was not possible they could ever agree. Borden weis afterwards tried and convicted, and the conviction was held good.

The court may, in their discretion, discharge a jury in a criminal case, who are unable to agree on a verdict, and against the consent of the prisoner, who may be brought to trial a second time for the same offence. 2 Johns. Cas. 301.