Political Quotes

Lysander Spooner: In short, they would judge, from any and every means they might have of judging; and if they had any reasonable doubt…

On the record
In short, they would judge, from any and every means they might have of judging; and if they had any reasonable doubt that he knew his act to be criminal in itself, they would be bound to acquit him.
Said by
Lysander Spooner

Editor's note · Context

Spooner insists that juries must acquit if there is reasonable doubt about the accused's awareness of the criminal nature of their act.

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The presumption clearly is that all were eligible.

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