Preview
Identifier
KF 223 .G66 1820
Creation Date
1820
Description
Trial of Robert M. Goodwin on an Indictment of Manslaughter for Killing James Stoughton. New-York: Printed by GL Birch & Co, 1820-21.
In 1819, Robert M. Goodwin and James Stoughton encountered each other on the street in New York City. The two men fought, and Goodwin stabbed Stoughton with a sword cane, killing him. A manslaughter trial ensued to establish whether Goodwin had killed Stoughton and if he had justification. The defense argued that Stoughton was stabbed by the sword cane by accident. The jury came to a verdict of guilty; however, upon being polled, one of the jurors disagreed with the verdict. Upon further deliberation, they were unable to come to an agreement. Goodwin was released on bail and ordered to later appear in front of the Supreme Court.