People v. Bigelow

THE COURT.

Defendant was indicted for having violated the Local Option Law. Before the indictment was found he was subpoenaed to appear as a witness before the grand jury, as in the case of

People

v.

Knowles,

(Crim. No. 297),

ante,

p. 498, this day decided. When before the grand jury the district attorney informed him of the nature of the charge against him then under investigation, to which he added: “Now, of course, the grand jury can’t require of you any testimony being you are an interested party, or compel you to testify; they can simply give you an opportunity to explain this matter away, if you wish; of course, any testimony

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you give is really considered a free and voluntary statement on your part and not compulsory, and if any testimony is given it can be used against you if it is detrimental in any manner; now, with this statement, do you wish to make a statement in connection with this matter? Mr. Bigelow: I would like to; I would be willing to.” His testimony then follows and was used in finding the indictment.

When brought to trial defendant made a motion to dismiss the indictment and discharge defendant upon the ground stated in

People

v.

Knowles

and the court granted the motion. The appeal is from this order and presents the same questions involved in

People

v.

Knowles.

If there is any substantial difference between that case and the present one it tends to ■ strengthen the view we have taken in the Knowles case and to confirm the opinion we have felt constrained to express.

The order is affirmed.