New York Court of Common Pleas, 1823

People v. Sheahan

People v. Sheahan
New York Court of Common Pleas · Decided March 15, 1823
1 Wheel. Cr. Cas. 226

Counsel

Sampson and D. Graham, for the prisoner,

People v. Sheahan

Opinion of the Court

The Court intimated that they took the law to be as stated by the District Attorney; but observed the prisoner should have the benefit of the objection raised by his counsel in arrest of judgment, or on a motion for a new trial.

The trial proceeded, and D. Graham raised another objection;

He contended, that in petit larceny, all were principals —there could be no accessaries either before or after the fact; and that the defendant therefore could not be convicted as a receiver: that the evidence before the was, that the defendant counselled the boy to take the box of candles ; in accordance with his counsel and direction, he did bring it. It was a petit larceny in both, and the defendant is guilty as principal, and not as receiver.

In petit larce"y. alJ are principals. To counsel °f candles of he does steal ^he?’ ” t£eI°"

The jury was directed to pass upon the prisoner upon the evidence before them; the objection being saved to be considered by the Court.

The jury immediately delivered in a verdict of guilty, against the defendant.

The Court subsequently decided the objection good.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.