On the record
It is manifest, therefore, that the jury must judge of and try the whole case, and every part and parcel of the case, free of any dictation or authority on the part of the government.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “It is manifest, therefore, that the jury must judge of and try the whole case, and every part and parcel of the case…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner argues that juries must have complete autonomy to judge cases without government interference.
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More from Lysander Spooner
On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.
They do not attempt to deceive us, or mislead us, or reconcile us to their doings, by any such pretences, impostures, or insults as these.
When they have once taken our money, they have the decency to get out of our sight as soon as possible; they do not persist in following us, and robbing us, again and again, so long as we produce anything that they can take from us.
They neither ask, nor expect, any mercy, if they should ever fall into the hands of honest men.