The witness, a particeps criminis in respect to the burning, having been examined as a witness on the part of the Commonwealth, and having testified to the guilt of herself and of the defendant, was asked on cross-examination as to a previous confession by her of such guilt, and stated that she had made such confession to an officer, and that she was induced to do so by promises on his part of protection and favor. She also still maintained that her confession, though procured by such promises, was true. The argument, however, would be open to the defendant, that her confession, if so procured, was not true; that she had been induced by the promises to commit herself to a confession which was false; and that, if her confession was false, her present testimony to the guilt of the defendant was also false. The connection between her confession and her present testimony was such, that this argument would be a fair one for the consideration of the jury. Selling a confession would be a legitimate ground for distrusting its truth. She declared virtually that her confession was sold. It thus became material to know if she was in fact induced to make the confession by
Exceptions overruled.