Stevenson v. United States, 162 U.S. 313 (1896)
U.S. Supreme Court
Stevenson v. United States, 162 U.S. 313 (1896)
Stevenson v. United States
No. 681
Argued March 9, 1896
Decided April 18, 1896
162 U.S. 313
Syllabus
On the trial of a person indicted for murder, although the evidence may appear to the court to be simply overwhelming to show that the killing was in fact murder, and not manslaughter or an act performed in self defense, yet so long as there is evidence relevant to the issue of manslaughter, its credibility and force are for the jury, and cannot be matter of law for the decision of the court.
A review of the evidence at the trial of the defendant (plaintiff in error) in the court below shows that there was error in the refusal of the court of the request of the defendant's counsel to submit the question of manslaughter to the jury.
The case is stated in the opinion.