The document numbers in the right hand column represent the document numbers assigned to the documents by the Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln website.
PEOPLE v JAMES DORMAN: TRANSCRIPT OF
COURT FILE
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DATE
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DOCUMENT
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DOC #
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03/17/45
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Of the March term of the Sangamon Circuit Court in the year of our
Lord 1845
State of Illinois
Sangamon County
The Grand Jurors chosen elected and sworn in and for the County of
Sangamon in the name and by the authority of the People of the State of
Illinois upon their oaths present:
That James Dorman on the twenty-fifth day of February in the year
one thousand eight hundred and forty five at the County aforesaid with force
and arms did go to the dwelling house of one Ellen Cox and did there and then
unlawfully beat against the door of said dwelling house and did then and
there unlawfully attempt to break in the said door and did then and there
unlawfully attempt to force an entrance into the said dwelling house, That then
and there the said Ellen Cox was in said dwelling house sick and weak of body
from her being then and there in a state of pregnancy – and that by reason of
the said unlawful beating against said door by said Dorman and said unlawful
attempt by the said Dorman to beat and force an entrance into said dwelling
house – the said Ellen Cox was compelled to make great physical efforts to
prevent the said James Dorman from breaking into her said dwelling house, and
was then and there greatly alarmed and frightened – of which said efforts
alarm and fright the said Ellen Cox then and there became and was extremely
sick. And by reason of said efforts alarm and fright the said Ellen Cox from
the said twenty-fifth day of February in the year of eighteen hundred and forty
five until the second day of March in the said year eighteen hundred and
forty five at the County aforesaid by reason of the aforesaid unlawful
beating and attempt to break into the said dwelling house, and by reason of
the efforts of said Ellen Cox as aforesaid and the alarm and fright as
aforesaid of the said Ellen Cox in the then condition of said Cox, she the
said Ellen Cox died.
And so the Jurors aforesaid do say that the said James Dorman her
the said Ellen Cox in the manner and by the means aforesaid unlawfully
feloniously and wilfully did kill – contrary to the form of the statute in
such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the said
People of the State of Illinois.
J.A. McDougall, Atty Gen’l
A True Bill
Wm. Butler, Foreman
Witnesses: I.V. Owens-Little; Dr. F.A. McNeil; Dr. Frazier; Dr. Z.P.
Cabiness; Isaiah Carruthers; Percival Lamb; L. Wm. Wallace; Wm. Wallace; Wm.
McMathis; Mrs. I.S. Lamb; Miss Cox[illegible]
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92306
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03/17/45
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Judge’s Docket:
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Attorney General
Defendant’s Attorney: Lincoln
Parties: People vs James Dorman
Action: Indict for Murder
Plea of not guilty.
Verdict not guilty.
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107058
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03/17/45
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The Grand Jury returned into court and presented the following
indictment, to wit: People against James Dorman – Indictment for
Manslaughter. A True Bill, William Butler, Foreman.
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92889
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03/17/45
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State of Illinois
Sangamon County
The People of the State of Illinois, to the Sheriff of Sangamon
County, GREETING,
We command you, that you take the body of James Dorman and him
safely keep, so that you have him forthwith before the Circuit Court of
Sangamon County now in session in Springfield, to answer to an indictment
found against him by the Grand Jury of said County of Sangamon for Manslaughter.
And have you then and there this writ.
WITNESS. John Calhoun, Clerk of our said Court at Springfield, this
17th day of March, AD 1845.
J.Calhoun, Clerk.
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12726
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03/26/45
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In the Sangamon Circuit Court, March term 1845
State of Illinois
Sangamon County
James Dorman, the defendant in an Indictment for manslaughter
pending in the circuit court of the county aforesaid, being first duly sworn,
states on oath that he fears he will not receive a fair and impartial trial
in the county aforesaid upon the indictment aforesaid on account that the
minds of the inhabitants of the county aforesaid are prejudiced against him,
and that affiant verily believes the minds of said inhabitants are so
predisposed against him – He therefore prays this Honorable court for a change
of venue, in the said cause, according to the provisions of the statute in
such cases made and provided.
James O. Dorman
Subscribed and Sworn
to before me this 26th
day of March AD 1845
J. Calhoun, Clerk.
M. MacDonald D.C.
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1556
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03/26/45
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The People of the State of Illinois, Plaintiffs
Against
James Dorman, Defendant
Indictment for Manslaughter
This day came as well the People by the Attorney General as the
defendant in proper person and by his Counsel, and the said defendant being
furnished with a copy of the indictment and a list of the jurors and
witnesses herein and being arraigned, for plea saith that he is not guilty in
manner and form as charged in the indictment and of this he puts himself upon
the Country and the People do the like. Whereupon the defendant files his
affidavit and enters his Motion for a Change of Venue on the ground of
prejudice in the minds of the inhabitants of Sangamon County against him, and
the Court having heard the same, it is ordered that the venue in this cause
be changed to the County of Menard. And that the Clerk transmit to the Clerk
of the Circuit Court of Menard County a transcript of the record together
with all the original papers in this cause.
It is further ordered that the Sheriff take bail of the said
defendant in the sum of five hundred dollars and that the defendant be
remanded to jail until he shall give bail as aforesaid.
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9244
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06/11/45
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Judge’s Docket
Defendant’s Attorney: Lincoln & Herndon
Parties: The People vs James Dorman
Action: Indict for Manslaughter – Change of venue from Sangamon Co.
Jury Sworn and Verdict of Not Guilty
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12733
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06/11/45
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Clerk’s Docket
The People vs James Dorman – Change of Venue from Sangamon County
Wm. Armstrong; Alvin Ringo; Christopher Arterbury; James Purkepile;
Martin Wardle; Jacob C. West; Wm. Smedley; Wilson M. Taylor; John Martin;
George Nance; Marshall King; James Bracken. Verdict Not Guilty.
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13436
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06/11/45
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The People of the State of Illinois vs James Dorman – Indict for
Manslaughter – On change of venue from Sangamon County
This day came the People by the Attorney General and the Defendant
in proper person and by his counsel and issue having been joined therefore
came a jury, to wit: Wm. Armstrong; Alvin Ringo; Christopher Arterbury; James
Purkepile; Martin Wardle; Jacob C. West; Wm. Smedley; Wilson M. Taylor; John
Martin; George Nance; Marshall King; James Bracken, who being elected tried
and sworn well and truly to try the issue joined for verdict say the
defendant is not guilty. It is therefore ordered that the defendant be
discharged and he go hence without day.
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12736
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