Commonwealth v. Getchell
Commonwealth v. Getchell
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court. In this case the defendant has been but twice convicted, and but once discharged. He would not, therefore, under the statute of 1832, c. 73, be liable to an additional punishment. We
If the crime had been committed, or if the defendant had been convicted, during the time that the statute of 1832 was in force, the repealing statute of 1833 might be considered as an ex post facto law in regard to him. But as the conviction took place in 1831, and he was then liable to the additional punishment, the act of 1832 operated only as a suspension of his liability, and not in nature of a pardon. That act having been repealed, his liability remains as it was at the time of his conviction.
Demurrer overruled.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Commonwealth versus John Getchell
- Status
- Published