State v. Phipps

• Decision Date: 31 January 1877
• Citation: State v. Phipps, 76 N.C. 203 (N.C. 1877)
• Court: North Carolina Supreme Court
• Parties: STATE v. L. A. PHIPPS.

76 N.C. 203

STATE

v.L. A. PHIPPS.

Supreme Court of North Carolina.

January Term, 1877.

INDICTMENT against the defendant and Margaret Locklear for Fornication and Adultery, tried at Fall Term, 1876, of GUILFORD Superior Court, before Kerr, J.

On the trial of the case, the Solicitor for the State entered a nol. pros. as to Margaret Locklear and introduced her as a witness against the defendant who objected on the ground that she was incompetent. His Honor overruled the objection, and upon her evidence the jury rendered a verdict of guilty.

Rule for new trial. Rule discharged. Judgment. Appeal by defendant.

Attorney General and Mr. J. T. Morehead, for the State .

Messrs. Dillard & Gilmer, for the defendant .

FAIRCLOTH, J.

The defendant and Margaret Locklear were indicted for fornication and adultery.

The Solicitor entered a nolle prosequi as to Locklear and introduced her as a witness against the defendant to prove the offence charged.

Was she a competent witness for that purpose is the question? She was not until the Act of 1866, Bat. Rev. ch. 43, § 14, abrogating the long settled rules of evidence, was passed which made her evidence admissible. State v. Rose, Phil. 406.

The Act of 1869-'70, ch. 177, repeals the above Act in its application to criminal matters and restored the common law rule of evidence; but a subsequent Act, 1871-'2, ch. 4, repeals the latter Act, and thus restores the competency of the witness.

The policy of legislation leading to this result is a matter for the consideration of the Legislature The Court can only declare the law as it...