People v. Lynch

Good Law
1 Cal. Unrep. 444
Supreme Court of CaliforniaAugust 11, 1868No. 1715California313 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

Sawyer, J.

There is nothing in the action of the court allowing Mr. Porter to assist the district attorney, and to take the most active part at the trial in the prosecution of the case, to justify a reversal of the judgment. The matter was one for the sound discretion of the court. The statute referred to by appellant is simply a statute prescribing the duties of the district attorney. It does not expressly, or by implication, prohibit the court from allowing other attorneys to aid the district attorney in the prosecution of parties charged with crimes. The practice, also, very generally prevails, and doubtless the ends of justice are often subserved by such assistance.

We think the testimony of the accomplice corroborated by other evidence tends strongly to connect the defendant with the commission of the offense, and that the verdict of the jury is justified by the evidence. The very facts about which appellants’ counsel admits there is no dispute are corroborative facts having such tendency. We see no good gromnd for disturbing the verdict. The judgment must be affirmed, and it is so ordered.

I agree with the chief justice in holding that it was within the discretion of the court below…

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