State V. Mann

“If one does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let all anger rein" Exodus 21

The court can not interfere with the master's power over his slave, the law gives the master absolute power over the slave. The court can not interfere with the master's power over his slave, slaves are the absolute property of their owners who could not be punished at common law unless the legislature authorized such punishment.

We would like to contrast with the British first instance decision in 1811,R V. Aurthur Hodge. In that case, on a charge of murdering one of his slaves, the defendant argued that an owner had absolute power over their slave to do as they will. “When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall then have full control” 

Exodus 21.