Hector v. State
Missouri Supreme Court
2 Mo. 166 (1829)
- Written by Sarah Venti, JD
Facts
Hector (defendant), a slave, was beaten most of the night when a group caught him and tried to compel him to confess to a recent burglary. At one point, Hector said that if they released him he would show them where the money was. Hours later, another man approached the group beating Hector and told Hector that if he took the money he should confess. Hector then confessed to the crime and led the whole group to his master’s house. The money was not found. The trial court allowed the jury to hear evidence concerning both of Hector’s confessions. The judge instructed the jury that the confessions they believed to be freely and voluntarily given should be considered as good evidence but the confessions they believed not to have been free or voluntary should be excluded from their consideration.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (M’Girk, C.J.)
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