Commonwealth v. Bowden, 9 Mass. 494 (Mass. 1813).
Commonwealth v. Bowden, 9 Mass. 494 (Mass. 1813). Book View Copy Cite
Commonwealth versus John Bowden
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Mar 15, 1813.
9 Mass. 494
Davis, (Solicitor-General,)
Cited by 43 opinions  |  Published
* By the Court.

The ancient strictness of the law upon this subject has very much abated in the English courts; nor would it be consistent with the genius of our government or laws to use compulsory means to effect an agreement among jurors. The practice of withdrawing a juror, where there existed no prospect of a verdict, has frequently been adopted at criminal trials in this Court, and the exception taken in this case cannot prevail.

The defendant took nothing by his motion.