People v. Thurston

Murray, C. J., delivered the opinion of the Court. Bryan, J., concurred. The appellant was indicted by a Grand Jury, composed of twenty-four persons. This was erroneous. The statute provides that twenty-four shall be summoned, but limits the number of those competent to act to twenty-three. This was the rule at common law ; twenty-three only being taken of the twenty-four summoned, so that twelve might constitute a majority. Sec. 4th, Blackstone, sec. 302. If more than twenty-three persons can hold an inquest of the County, there would be no limit to the number, and a party might be indicted by less than a majority of the Jury, our statute having provided that twelve Grand Jurors may present an indictment. It is said that this objection comes too late, and ought to have been taken advantage of before the trial. It does not appear upon the face of the indictment, and it is doubtful if it were known to the prisoner ; even if such was the fact, I regard the indictment thus found by an illegally constituted body as worthless, and all proceeding based upon it void. Judgment reversed.