Wednesday, March 30, 2016

PEOPLE v THOMAS PATTERSON: TRANSCRIPT OF THE COURT FILE FROM A MANSLAUGHTER CASE DEFENDED BY LINCOLN

Set forth below is a transcript which I made of the important documents in the court file from a manslaughter case which Lincoln defended.

The numbers to the right below the document titles refer to the documents by the Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln website.




J.P. TRANSCRIPT

3/25/58
580325
 

STATE OF ILLINOIS  CHAMPAIGN CO.     
)
)
Before J.J. Brown, J.P.
Before J.P. Tenbrook, JP
The People of the  
State of  Illinois
-vs-              
Thomas Patterson   
)
)
)
)
 
 
For Murder


 


On complaint of Penrose Stidham it appearing that,Samuel C. Dehaven has been killed by Defendant Warrant issued this day for his arrest and delivered to V. Kendall, Constable for service. Same day warrant returned endorsed:


 


"Served the within by arresting Thomas Patterson and bringing him to Court. V. Kendall, Const."


 

Now it appearing upon the testimony of Cary Hamilton, William W. Mills, Samuel Healer, P. S. Coler, David Mattis, Daniel D. Mills, L. Pumington & A. Catron that on this day Thomas Patterson threw a two pound weight at Deceased hitting him on the he from which wound he has since died, it is ordered that he be committed for trial before the Circuit Court of Champaign Co. Mittimus for the Committment of said Thomas Patterson to the jail of said County given to V. Kendall, Const.

 

W. W. Mills, Cary Hamilton and Samuel Hasler recognized for their appearance as witnesses at the Circuit Court in this case.

 

J. J. Brown J.P.(L.S.)

 

I certify the above to be a true transcript of the

proceedings in said case before me Sadorus, March 25, 1858.

 

J. J. Brown J.P.(L.S.)

 

INDICTMENT

4/12/58
580412

 

Of the April Term of the Champaign Circuit Court in the year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and fifty eight.

 

STATE OF ILLINOIS
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
)
)
SS

 

The Grand Jurors chosen, selected and sworn, in and for the County of Champaign, in the name and by the authority of the People of the State of Illinois upon their oaths present that on the twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and fifty-eight at and within the County of Champaign and State of Illinois aforesaid, Thomas Patterson not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, with force and arms at the County aforesaid in and upon one Samuel Dehaven in the peace of God and the people then and there being, unlawfully, feloniously and wilfully did make an assault; and that the said Thomas Patterson with a certain two pound weight of the value of one dollar, which he, the said Thomas Patterson in his right hand then and there had and held, to, against and upon the said Samuel Dehaven then and there unlawfully and feloniously did cast and throw; and, that the said Thomas Patterson with the two pound weight aforesaid so cast and thrown by him as aforesaid, the said Samuel Dehaven in and upon the left side of the head near the left ear of him the said Samuel Dehaven, then and there unlawfully & feloniously and wilfully did strike and wound, giving to the said Samuel Dehaven then and there with the two pound weight aforesaid so as aforesaid by the said Thomas Patterson cast and thrown in and upon the left side of the head near the left ear of him the said Samuel Dehaven, one mortal wound of the length of three inches and of the depth of one inch; of which said mortal wound the said Samuel Dehaven from the said twenty fourth day of March in the year aforesaid until the twenty fifth day of the same month of March in the year aforesaid at and within the County aforesaid, did languish and languishing did live; on which said twenty fifth day of March in the year aforesaid, the said Samuel Dehaven at and within the County aforesaid, of the said mortal wound died; and so the Grand Jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid do say that the said Thomas Patterson, the said Samuel Dehaven in manner and form aforesaid feloniously, voluntarily, unlawfully 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 same people of the State of Illinois.

 

2nd. Count. And the Grand Jurors aforesaid in and for the County aforesaid in the name and by the authority aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid do further present that on the twenty third day of March in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and fifty eight aforesaid at the County and State aforesaid Thomas Patterson not having the fear of God before his eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil with force and arms at the County aforesaid in and upon one Samuel Dehaven in the peace of God and the people then and there being; unlawfully, feloniously and wilfully did make an assault; and that the said Thomas Patterson with a certain piece of metal of the weight of two pounds and of the value of one dollar, which piece of metal was commonly called a two pound weight which piece of metal he the said Thomas Patterson in his hand then and there had and held to, against, and upon the said Samuel Dehaven then and there unlawfully and feloniously did cast and throw; and that the said Thomas Patterson with the piece of metal aforesaid so east and thrown by him as aforesaid the said Samuel Dehaven in and upon the left side of the head, back of the left ear and near the said left ear of him the said Samuel Dehaven then and there unlawfully, feloniously and wilfully did strike and wound, giving to the said Samuel Dehaven then and there with the piece of metal aforesaid so as aforesaid by the said Thomas Patterson east and thrown in and upon the left side of the head near the left ear, back of the said left ear, of him the said Samuel Dehaven one mortal wound of the length of three inches and of the depth of one inch; of which said mortal wound the said Samuel Dehaven from the said twenty third day of March in the year aforesaid until the twenty fourth day of the same month of March in the year aforesaid did languish and languishing did live; on which said twenty fourth day of March in the year aforesaid the said Samuel Dehaven at and within the County aforesaid of the said mortal wound died; oaths aforesaid do and form aforesaid wilfully did kill, and so the Grand Jurors aforesaid upon their say that the said Samuel Dehaven in manner voluntarily, unlawfully, feloniously and contrary to the form of the Statute in such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the same people of the State of Illinois.

 

[ENDORSEMENT]

 

April Term 1858.

 

The People

vs.

Thomas Patterson.

MAMSLAUGHTER.'

A True Bill

 

John Penfield, Foreman of the Grand Jury.

 

Witnesses.

A Catron, Daniel Mills, William Mills, Cary Hamilton, Dr. Herman Chaff,. Dr. L. Punnington, David Mattocks, Samuel Hesler, Pearce Coler, Arbury Hamilton

 

COURT MINUTES
4/23/58
50151

 

 

People
Vs
Thomas Patterson
}
Manslaughter

 

This day (it being the 11th day of the term)came the Prosecuting Attorney and also the said Defendant in his own proper person and having had hearing of said Indictment for plea thereto says he is not guilty in manner & form as is in said Indictment above against him Charged and thereof puts himself upon the Country.

 

COURT MINUTES

10/13/58
58132

 

People
Vs
Thomas Patterson
}
Manslaughter

 

This day (it being the third day of the term) comes the People by their States Attorney and comes the Defendant in his own proper person  and entered his motion herein to Continue the cause on his affidavit herein filed. And thereupon before the decision of the said motion by the Court the said Defendant waived all right for a change of venue at this and any subsequent term of the Court. Whereupon upon due consideration thereof by the Court It is ordered that this case be continued on said Affidavit & [Court goes on to set forth terms of Patterson’s release on bail].

 

AFFIDAVIT

10/24/58
4298

 

STATE OF ILLINOIS  CHAMPAIGN CO.     
)
)
CIRCUIT COURT AT
THE OCTO. TERM 1858

 

 

People
Vs
Thomas Patterson
)
)
)
Indict Manslaughter

 

Before the undersigned Wm. H. Somers, Clerk of said Court personally came the above named Thomas Patterson who being by me first sworn deposes and says upon his oath that he is advised & verily believes that he cannot come safely to his trial without the aid & attendance of his Council Leonard Sweet & Abraham Lincoln Esqrs. That before the last term of this Court he employed the said Swett & Lincoln in his defense & verily expected that they both, as they promised affiant would attend at the present term & conduct his defense, he swears that their absence has not been by his leave or procurement. That although affiant has other Council employed in his defense he relies most upon the said Lincoln & Sweet, who he employed to lead and manage his defense. That it is not the intention of affiant to take a change of venue from this County but should be entirely controlled by the judgment of his said Attorneys Lincoln & Swett in so doing.

THOMAS PATTERSON

Subscribed & Sworn to this 24th day of Oct. 1858.
W. H. Somers, Clk.
 

COURT MINUTES

4/21/59
130677

 

People
Vs
Thomas Patterson
)
)
)
Indictment for Manslaughter

 

This day (it being the 4th day of the term) came the Prosecuting attorney and also came the said defendant in his own proper person and having had hearing of said Indicmtne for plea thereto says that he is not guilty inmanner and form as is in the Indictment above against him charged and thereof puts himself upon the Country and a copy of said Indictment and a list of Jurors and witnesses being furnished the said deenda thereupon came a Jury 12 good and lawful men to wit [lists names of jurors]who being duly tried elected and sworn to well and truly try the issues therein joined upon their oaths do say that said Defendant is guilty in manner and form as in said Indictment above specified against him charged. It is therefore considered by the court that the said Defendant be confined in the Penitentiary at Alton for a term of three years for said offense & three days of said time in solitary confinement and the remainder thereof at hard labor. That the Sheriff of Champaign County have 5 days to carry said Thomas Patterson to deliver him into the hands of the Warden.

 

PROSECUTION JURY INSTRUCTIONS

4/21/59
4297

 

Instructions given by the Court on the part of the Prosecution in the case of the People v. Patterson.

 

(No. 1 has been written, then pasted over with paper)

 

2nd. If the Jury believe from the evidence that the Defendant unlawfully killed the said Dehaven, by striking the said Dehaven upon the head with a two pound weight, without Malice expressed or implied and without any mixture of deliberation whatever, then the law is against the Defendant, and the Jury will find him guilty.

 

3rd. Unless the Jury believes from the evidence that when the Defendant killed Dehaven, if they believe from the evidence that Defendant did kill Dehaven, that the danger was so urgent and pressing from an attack made upon him by Dehaven that in order to save his own life, or to prevent his receiving great bodily harm, the killing of Dehaven was absolutely necessary; and unless the Jury believe from the evidence that Dehaven assailed the Defendant, or that the Defendant had really in good faith endeavored to decline any further struggle before the mortal blow was given, then the law is against the Defendant, and the Jury will find him guilty.

 

4th. Unless the Jury believe from the evidence that Defendant and Dehaven were engaged in a personal conflict, and that without any fault of Defendant, and that the Defendant did all that a reasonable man ought to do, under like circumstances, to avoid such conflict before striking the mortal blow, then the law is against the Defendant and the Jury will find him guilty.

 

DEFENSE JURY INSTRUCTIONS

4/21/59
4297

 

People
Vs
Patterson
)
)
)
 

 

[In Lincoln’s handwriting]

 

The Court instructs the jury:

 

If they believe from the evidence that when Patterson threw the weight, he had a reasonable and well grounded fear that he was in immediate danger of his life, or of great bodily harm, from Dehaven, with the spade, they are to find Patterson “Not guilty”—

 

That if they have any reasonable doubt whether Patterson then was in such reasonable and well grounded fear, they are to find him “Not guilty”—

 

That if, upon the whole case, they have any reasonable doubt of Patterson’s guilt, as charged in the indictment, they are to acquit him—

 

[In Judge Davis’s handwriting]

 

The Jury are not to decide the question of the Defendant’s guilt or innocence by a preponderance of testimony, or by the probabilities of the defendant’s guilt or innocence.

 

In a criminal case, the Jury will not convict if they entertain a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt.
 

Monday, March 28, 2016

PEOPLE v MELISSA GOINGS: TRANSCRIPT OF A MURDER CASE DEFENDED BY LINCOLN

Set forth below is a transcript which I made of the important documents in the court file from a murder case which Lincoln defended.

The document numbers in the right hand column represent the document numbers assigned to the documents by the Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln website.




DATE
PEOPLE v MELISSA GOINGS: 
TRANSCRIPT OF COURT FILE
DOCUMENT
DOC. #

4/21/57

VERDICT OF CORONER’S JURY

We, the undersigned, jurors impaneled and sworn on the 21st day of April, in the year 1857, in the township of Worth, in the county of Woodford, in the state of Illinois, by Benjamin W. Hindy, Coroner, to inquire & true presentment make, in what manner & by whom Roswell Goings, found suddenly deceased on the 18th of the present month, came to his death. After having examined the said body & hearing the evidence, we do find, that the deceased came to his death by violence; & that said body has on it the following marks & wounds inflicted by Malisa Goings, the wife of the deceased; a bruise on the back, & a long deep cut on the head & the skull much fractured, & the brains injured, & which the jury find did cause the death of said person in five days from their infliction.

Given under our hands, at the time & place of said inquisition mentioned.

[signatures]


57057
4/21/57
RECORD OF TESTIMONY BEFORE CORONER’S JURY

James Brady Old man stated about the window he put his hand on her & told her to hush she dared him, he went over and she struck him he told me about 2 hours after it happened and said I knew nothing more after she struck him he said I expect she has killed me.

James Brady

57083
4/21/57
RECORD OF TESTIMONY BEFORE CORONER’S JURY

Josephus Going did not see the lick struck she said she had struck him I ran in and found him on the floor trying to get up I assisted him into the rocking chair and washed of the blood. He appeared to have hjis mind until about 12 or 1 o’clock when it was entirely gone I went form [illegible] I think the wound received shortened his days he never spoke to me after he was hurt. He would answer by shaking then nodding his head the accident occurred on Tuesday they had in days previous lived rather disagreeable.

Josephus Goings

57081
4/21/57
RECORD OF TESTIMONY BEFORE CORONER’S JURY

Testimony of Joshua Van Wilson is as follows: He states that Malissa Goings did strike the deceased first on the back and he fell and 2nd  between [illegible] and [illegible] on the head and he lay in a manner senseless on the floor for some time, the blows were made with a stick of stove wood about a foot long a split stick about as large as his arm, he thought it was cause of death he lived not qie a week he died on Saturday night, lived 5 or 6 days I do not know which, they had quarreled before then, I don’t know how long he had been sick, about a month or so only once to eat while sick not hardly able to walk if she [illegible] struck him she meant to kill him if she could; this was told to me two days before the affray by her.

Joshua Van Wilson his X mark

57082
4/21/57
RECORD OF TESTIMONY 
BEFORE CORONER’S JURY

Roswell Hibbs I was told the old man was hurt I come to see him he could not speak James Brady came & he said he would tell how it happened He spoke about placing the board in the window [illegible] took hold or run my hand about her neck took my seat she dared me to come then I went; & she struck me he said if I get over it I will have revenge

Roswell Hibbs

57084
4/22/57
CORONER'S RETURN

State of Illinois, Woodford County}ss

Whereas it was represented to me Benjamin W Hindy, Coroner of said county, on the 19th day of April, that a male person died the night previous at his residence in Worth Township, in said county, supsed to have come to his death by violence, casualty, or undue mans; whereupon on the 20th I caused to be summoned a jury of twelve good and lawful men of the neighborhood, to wit [names] to inquire how and in what manner, and by whom, or what he came by his death; and on the 21st said jurors assembled at the said place where the said dead body was lying, I appointed John Bowen, one of them, as foreman, and in the presence of the rest administered to him the following oath “You, as foreman of this inquest, do solemnly swear, that you will diligently inquire, and true presentment make, how, in what manner, and by whom or what, the body which lies dead, came to its death; and that you will deliver to me, the coroner of this county, a true inquest thereof, according to such evidence as shall be given you, and according to the best of your knowledge and belief, so help you God,” And to the other jurors the following oath, to wit; the same oath which John Bowen, your foreman, has just now take on his part, you and each of you do solemnly swear to keep on your respective parts; so help you God.”

Whereupon the said jurors, after examination of the said body, and hearing the testimony of Joshuan Van Wilson, Samuel W. Beck, John Brady, Benjamin Grove, Josephus Going, Roswell Hibbs, Thomas Sunderland, and Z.H. Whitmire and J.M. Clark physician who held a post mortem examination, who were subpoenaed as witnesses, returned the following verdict, to wit: We, the undersigned, jurors impaneled and sworn on the 21st day of April, in the year 1857, in the township of Worth, in the county of Woodford, in the state of Illinois, by Benjamin W. Hindy, Coroner, to inquire & true presentment make, in what manner & by whom Roswell Goings, found suddenly deceased on the 18th of the present month, came to his death. After having examined the said body & hearing the evidence, we do find, that the deceased came to his death by violence; & that said body has on it the following marks & wounds inflicted by Malisa Goings, the wife of the deceased; a bruise on the back, & a long deep cut on the head & the skull much fractured, & the brains injured, & which the jury find did cause the death of said person in five days from their infliction.

Given under our hands, at the time & place of said inquisition mentioned.

[signatures]

I Benjamin W. Kindig Coroner in and for said county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true statement of the proceedings had before me, of and concerning the death of the said Roswell Goings

Given under my hand and seal, this 22nd day of April A.D. 1857, B.W. Kindig Coroner of Woodford County #Seal#

57062
8/24/57
RECORD OF PRELIMINARY HEARING

Justices Court before R.J. Cassell and Joseph Morley two of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Woodford and State of Illinois

The defendant Melissa Goings brought before the court on charge of killing Roswell Goings April 23 1857

Witnesses for the people not being present the cause continued til tomorrow at 10 o’clock A.M. Subp issued for Thomas Summerland, Benj Grove Joshua Hamilton and John Brady for the people

April 24th 1857 Subp returned duly served by reading by John Lyons Cost

After haring the evidence and argument of the council it is ordered by the court that the defendant be held to bail in the sum of one thousand dollars to be and appear at the next term of our circuit court to answer an indictment to be then and there preferred against her
Whereupon the said defendant tendered her bond with Armstrong Goings and Samuel W. Beck as security, which bond was approved by the Court this 25th day of April 1857

R.L. Cassell JP, Joseph Morly JP

I R.L. Cassell do hereby certify that the above is a true transcript of the above cause as taken from my docket this 24th day of Augt 1857

R.L. Cassell, J.P.

57063
10/8/57
INDICTMENT

State of Illinois, Woodford County}

Of the October term of the Woodford County Circuit Court in the Year of Our Lord 1857

The Grand Jurors chosen selected and sworn in and for the County of Woodford in the name and by the authority of the People of the State of Illinois upon their oaths present that Melissa Goings late of the County of Woodford and State of Illinois not having the fear of God before her eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil on the fourteenth day of April in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven with force and arms at and within the County of Woodford and State of Illinois in and upon one Roswell Goings in the peace of the said people of the said State of Illinois then and there being unlawfully feloniously and of her malice aforethought did make an assault, and that the said Melissa Goings with a certain stick of wood which she the said Melissa Goings in her right hand then and there held the said Roswell Goings in and upon the to of the head of him the said Roswell Goings then and there unlawfully feloniously willfully and of her malice aforethought did strike and beat giving to the said Roswell Goings then and there with the stick of wood aforesaid in and upon the top of the head of him the said Roswell Goings one mortal wound of the breadth of one inch and of the depth of one inch of which said mortal wound the said Roswell Goings from the said fourteenth day of April in the Year aforesaid until the eighteenth day of April the same month, in the year aforesaid in the County of Woodford aforesaid in the State aforesaid did languish and languishing did live on which said eighteenth of day of April in the year aforesaid the said Roswell Goings in the County of Woodford aforesaid of the said mortal wound died, and so the Jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid do say Melissa Goings the said Roswell Goings in manner and form aforesaid unlawfully feloniously willfully and of her malice aforethought did kill and murder contrary to the form of the statute in such cases made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the same People of the State of Illinois.

Hugh Fullerton, States Attorney

[Endorsement]

Filed October 8, 1857 P. Doty Clerk

The People vs Melissa Goings//Indictment for Murder// A True Bill, John M. Davison, Foreman of the Grand jury

Witnesses: G.W. Whitmire; Joseph Goings; James Baily; Roswell HIbbs; Joshua Van Wilson; Dr. Wood; J.V. Clark; Mary Flowers; [illegible]

57066
10/8/58
COURT MINUTES

People vs Melissa Goings} Indictment for Murder

This day came the Grand Jury into Court and presented this indictment endorsed a True Bill John M. Davison Foreman. It is ordered by the court that a capias issue herein returnable forthwith.

57068
10/10/57
COURT MINUTES

People vs Melissa Goings} Indictment for Murder

This day came the people by Hugh Fullerton states attorney as well the defendant in her proper person attended by Groves & Lincoln her attorneys. A copy of the indictment, list of jurors & witnesses having been furnished & given to defendant. The defendant being arraigned and called on for a plea & for plea herein says she is not guilty.

And now afterwards on the same day this cause coming on further to be heard the defendant being called came not and also Armstrong Goings & Samuel Beck her sureties being called came not to produce the body of Melissa Goings.

It is therefore ordered by the court that the recognizance in this cause be forfeited and that scire facias issue herein returnable to next term of this court.

57070
3/31/58
COURT MINUTES

People vs Melissa Goings} Indictment for Murder

And now on this day this cause is continued.

57074
10/5/58
COURT MINUTES

People vs Melissa Goings} Indictment for Murder

And now on this day comes the states attorney H Fullerton and on his motion this cause is stricken from the docket.

Judge’s docket says continued with alias capias

57077
5/24/59
COURT MINUTES

People vs Melissa Goings} Indictment for Murder

Now on this day comes the people by Henry Miller States Attorney and in his motion this cause is stricken from the docket with leave to reinstate.

57080