Commonwealth v. Tibbs
Commonwealth v. Tibbs
Opinion of the Court
delivered the Opinion of the Court.
GreenbeRRv Tibbs was indicted for challenging Jonathan McNeel to fight with deadly weapons in single combat ; and on the trial, the proof was, that immediately after they had been quarrelling, Tibbs said to McNeel, u lam told you carry weapons for me — 1 loill fight you a duel with a pistol or a rifle, from one step to a hundred yards-’ Upon that proof, the jury found a verdict of not guilty.
The only question which we shall consider, is, whether the words which were proved,.amount to a challenge within the meaning of the act of assembly.
It is impossible to define, with precision, what words will, ex vi termini, import a challenge to fight a duel;, but we are of the opinion, that the words which have been quoted, do not necessarily amount to such a challenge as was contemplated by the penal statute of this stater
■ No words that should not be construed as a requisition, demand, or a request, to fight, should be deemed a challenge to single combat.
When the occasion and other accompanying circumstances are considered, the words which were proved in
Such words might amount to a misdemeanor, at common law, for they may be deemed an ‘■iinsmualion,'> of a desire to fight with deadly weapons, which might provoke such a combat, and which, therefore, is punishable as a nfisdemeanor. (1 Hauk. pleas of the Cr. c. 63. §3.) But Tibbs was not indicted for such a misdemeanor. And the jury, under all the circumstances, had a right to find that he had not been guilty under the act of assembly.
Wherefore, the judgment of acquittal is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The Commonwealth v. Tibbs
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