...courts martial, and courts of inquiry:, in any State or Territory, including the District of Columbia, the person so charged shall, at his own request but not otherwise, be a competent witness. And his failure tn make such request shall not create any 287 Opinion of the Court....

...other proceedings against persons charged with the commission of crimes, offenses and misdemeanors, the person so charged shall, at his own request, but not otherwise, be a competent witness.'. This abrogates the common law rule and gives the accused the absolute, unqualified...

...OF CRIME. On the twenty-sixth day of May, ISfiG, the Legislature of Massachusetts enacted, that, "in the trial of all indictments, complaints, and other...testify create any presumption against the defendant." In these few words, with very little discussion and with no great amount of inquiry, the Commonwealth...

...complaints and other proceedings against persons charged with the commission of crimes or offenses, the person so charged shall, at his own request, but...refusal to testify create any presumption against him, nor shall any reference be made to, nor any comment upon, such neglect or refusal. SEC. 2. This...

...complaints, and other proceedings against persons charged with the commission of crimes on°enses, tne person so charged shall, at his own request, but not otherwise, be deemed a competent witness ; the credit to be given to his testimony being left solely to the jury, under the instructions of...

...against persons charged with the commission of crimes or offenses, the persons so charged shall, at his request, but not otherwise, be deemed a competent...commented upon by the prosecuting attorney or by the courts. Approved March 6, 1868. CHAPTER LXXI. An Act to compel attendance of witnesses in certain oases,...

...follows : Persons cnarg'a SECTION 1. In the trial of all indictments, com??ve erf™en£e"T plaints and other proceedings against persons charged with...testify create any presumption against the defendant SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. ' Approved March...

...1866, entitled " An Act relating to criminal prosecutions," which provides as follows : " Section 1. In the trial of all indictments, complaints, and other...but not otherwise, be deemed a competent witness, the credit to be given to his testimony being left solely to the jury, under the instructions of the...

...complaints and other proceedings against persons charged with the commission of crimes or offenses, the person so charged shall, at his own request, but...competent witness ; nor shall the neglect or refusal to testily create any presumption against him, nor shall any reference be made to, nor any comment upon,...

...criminal proceedings in any and all courts, and before any and all officers and persons acting judicially, the person so charged shall at his own request, but not otherwise, be deemed a competent witness; but the neglect or refusal of any such person to testify shall not create any presumption against him....