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a Magistrate & bound over to the Circuit Court which was held here last week. Upon trial before this Court the jury found a verdict of of "guilty," but on motion by the counsel of the defendant, the judge granted a new trial whereupon the District, Attorney entered a nolle prosequi. That you may more fully understand the case. I will give you a synopsis to the best of my ability -

After full investigation the case was submitted to the jury who returned a verdict of guilty against the defendant - The defendant, through his Counsel, then moved the Court for a new trial - 1st upon the ground, that the Act of the Legislature of Mississippi Section III, approved, Nov. 25" 1865, was, so far as it relates to criminal prosecutions unconstitutional & invalid - Secondly, that the verdict was against the law & the evidence - After argument on both sides, Judge Smiley presiding, the Court decided the act referred to was [[ex post]] facto & unconstitutional in any criminal procedure, but incidentally remarked that it was valid in Civil proceeding as far as it related to 
                                           
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Transcription Notes:
Nolle Prosequi - Legal Dictionary | Law.comdictionary.law.com › Default nolle prosequi. (no-lay pro-say-kwee) n. Latin for "we shall no longer prosecute," which is a declaration made to the judge by a prosecutor in a criminal case (or by a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit) either before or during trial, meaning the case against the defendant is being dropped. Reviewer: edits made, ready to Complete.