State v. Picton

Citations

• 51 La. Ann. 624
• 25 So. 375
• 1899 La. LEXIS 445

Syllabus

<p>Syllabus.</p> <p>1. Defense sought to exclude certain testimony on the ground that it involved a confession of guilt by accused. Exclusion was claimed on the ground that the confession was brought about by threat of prosecution if settlement of moneys embezzled was not made. Held : Not a case of confession of guilt admitted to the jury without proof of.its voluntary character.</p> <p>2. There is a broad distinction between the mere admission of inculpatory facts and a confession of guilt.</p> <p>3. ’ Acknowledgement of facts tending to establish guilt differentiated from confession. A damaging fact may be admitted without any intention 1o confess guilt.</p> <p>4. Where a person only admits certain facts from which the jury may or may not infer guilt, there is no confession.</p>