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Blyew v. United States

80 U.S. 581, 13 Wall. 581 (1871)

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Blyew v. United States

United States Supreme Court
80 U.S. 581, 13 Wall. 581 (1871)

Facts

Blyew and Kennard (defendants), two White men, were charged in Kentucky state court for the murder of Lucy Armstrong, a Black woman. Multiple witnesses who sought to testify against Blyew and Kennard were also Black. Kentucky state law forbade Black people from testifying against White defendants. The case was removed to federal court pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and Blyew and Kennard were convicted of the murder. On appeal, the defendants, and the State of Kentucky, argued that the case should have remained in state court and states should have the right to make rules regarding admissible testimony in state courts.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Strong, J.)

Dissent (Bradley, J.)

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