The Hillsborough Recorder

At the fall term of the Superior Court of Craven county, last year, Robert Spier, was arraigned for the murder of John Williams, of Beaufort county: the witnesses were examined and the argument of his counsel concluded at twelve o'clock on Saturday night, when the term having expired, the jury were dismissed.

The matter was subsequently carried up to the Supreme Court by habeas corpus, where it was adjudged, that he ought not again to be put upon his trial; that it would be jeopardizing his life twice for the same offence, contrary to the provisions of the constitution; and a writ was therefore issued, ordering him to be bailed. At the last term of Craven Superior Court, he appeared pursuant to recognisance, and upon motion of counsel, no matter appearing to justify his detention he was discharged.

We have never made the study of the law a profession, and it may therefore be presumptuous in us to question the correctness of this decision. The decision is, however, new to us, and appears to open a door through which the management of counsel may enable many a hardened ruffian to escape.