COMMONWEALTH vs. TITUS PEASE

THIS was an indictment against the defendant for compounding a felony; taking as a consideration or reward therefor, a promissory note, signed by the party who was guilty of the felony, for the sum of one hundred dollars.

At the trial, which was had before Jackson, J., at the last April term in the county of Hampden, the facts were proved, as alleged in the indictment; but it further appeared in evidence that the promissory note had not been paid, and that the promisor having since died, it had been presented to his executor for payment, by a person to whom the defendant had endorsed it. Payment was refused by the executor, on the ground of its having been given for the illegal consideration aforesaid, and being therefore void.

It was thereupon objected for the defendant, that the indictment was not maintained; because it appeared that

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the defendant had not received any valuable consideration for the supposed compounding of the felony.

This objection was overruled by the judge; and a verdict being returned against the defendant, a new trial was moved for on account of the said opinion and direction of the judge. There was also a motion in arrest of judgment, on the ground that it did not appear in the indictment, that the defendant had received any reward or valuable consideration for the compounding of the felony, as alleged in the indictment.

Mills, for the defendant. The definition of this offence, by the writers on criminal law, is "the taking the goods stolen, or other amends, upon agreement not to prosecute" [Note 1] The goods stolen in this case were not restored, nor were amends taken, which were of any value; for the promissory note was merely void, as well as illegal. In the case of the Commonwealth vs. Cony, [Note 2] it was decided that the receiving of a promissory note by an officer for fees would not maintain an indictment for extortion; and this reason is there given, that to constitute extortion, there must be the receipt of money or of some other thing of value. The note was held void, as given for an illegal consideration, and consequently of no value. So a note given to indemnify an officer for permitting an escape was held void. [Note 3] The allegation of the indictment, that the defendant committed the offence "for wicked gain's sake," was therefore not supported by the evidence; and for this a new trial should be had.

The note being wholly void, the indictment contains no allegation that any thing of value was taken by the defendant by way of amends for compounding the felony; and for this cause judgment on the verdict should be arrested, if a new trial is refused.

Morton [Attorney-General], for the commonwealth.

PARKER, C. J. The question of evidence, and that on the motion in arrest of judgment, are in this case substantially the same. If the taking of a promissory note, as a reward

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for compounding a felony, is punishable at common law, then an indictment, which sets forth that fact, is good.

The objection is, that the facts alleged and proved do not constitute the offence anciently called theft bote, now more commonly compounding a felony; and the definition of the offence by Sergeant Hawkins, and other writers on the criminal law, has been resorted to in support of the objection. What is that definition? Judge Blackstone, in the place referred to, says, "Theft bote is where the party robbed not only knows the felon, but also takes his goods again, or other amends, upon agreement not to prosecute." Now the question is, whether a promissory note of hand will satisfy the terms other amends. [Note 4]

It is argued that it will not, because such a note will be void in law, and in fact nothing may ever be received. But there seems to be no reason for this nice and critical construction of the words. The note, although voidable, is in fact of value to the holder, until it is avoided. It may never be disputed. Indeed it would be hazardous ever to dispute it, for the promisee would then be released from his engagement not to prosecute; so that he holds a coercive power over the maker of the note, as strong as the law.

But, further, what is the gist of the offence? It is the concealing of the crime, and abstaining from prosecution, to the detriment of the public. Now, if a man is induced to this by the promise of money, and actually takes an obligation for the money, every thing necessary to constitute him criminal in the eye of the law seems to be done. [Note 5]

It has been said in argument, that this is like the cases which have been decided, where officers have been charged with taking more than their lawful fees; and the taking of a promissory note for such fees has been held not to be a receiving, within the meaning of the statute. We apprehend that the cases are not parallel. Those are statute offences, and consist in demanding and receiving more than lawful fees. The fees may never be received, if

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credit is given for them; and the essence of the offence, which is the receiving, will never have occurred. But here the amends are only an incident to the crime, which consists principally in smothering a prosecution, and screening an offender from justice. All that the law requires is, that it should appear to be for the sake of gain, and not merely from weak or compassionate motives, and this probably is the reason why it is necessary to allege that any thing has been received, by way of inducement to the commission of the offence. [Note 6]

Motions overruled.