Famous Murder - Mackinac County

The Mackinac County Courthouse in 1859 was the trial site of the famous murder case of People vs. Pond reported in the 8th Vo. of Michigan Supreme Court reports, page 150 and following. It has become a precedent throughout the English Common Law world on the right of a dweller in his home to repel an assailant, by killing if necessary against an assault on an outbuilding in this case a net house. There were threats made by the assailant which a jury might find would cause the defendant to feel his life was endangered. This the trial judge did not advise the jury. Pond was convicted but the Supreme Court on appeal sent it back for retrial. Pond died before the retrial. It has become a leading case on the subject. Last Updated ( Friday, 15 February 2008 )