Also known as: flies for it · flew for it · flown for it · flying for it · flight from justice · flee
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An ancient custom in criminal trials of asking the jury after its verdict, even a not-guilty verdict, whether the defendant had fled after allegedly committing a crime. An affirmative finding permitted forfeiture of the defendant's personal property.
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Fabian Flynn was tried for felony in State A. After the jury returned a not-guilty verdict the court invoked the ancient custom and asked whether Flynn had flown for it. The jury found he had fled and ordered forfeiture of his personal property.
Forrest Falconer stood trial after allegedly committing a crime. Following the verdict the court asked the jury whether Falconer had flown for it. An affirmative answer resulted in forfeiture of his personal property.
Fatima Flores was tried for burglary. After the verdict the court directed the jury to decide whether she had flown for it. The jury's finding of flight triggered forfeiture of her personal property.
Felicity French faced trial after allegedly fleeing the jurisdiction. Post-verdict the court asked the jury whether French had flown for it. The jury found flight and ordered forfeiture of her personal property.
Floyd Franklin was tried for an offense. After verdict the court invoked the ancient custom and asked whether Franklin had flown for it. The jury answered yes and forfeited his personal property.
Francois Fortier stood trial after allegedly committing a crime. Following the verdict the court asked the jury whether Fortier had flown for it. An affirmative finding caused forfeiture of his personal property.
The inquiry allowed the jury to determine whether the defendant had fled from justice even after a not-guilty verdict. An affirmative finding resulted in forfeiture of the defendant's personal property.
Supporting sources
No. The ancient custom permitted the jury to find flight and order forfeiture of personal property regardless of the verdict on the underlying charge.
Supporting sources
No. The practice expressly applied after any verdict, including not-guilty verdicts, to decide the separate question of forfeiture based on flight.
Supporting sources
…to Police Department policy. The statute provides that "[i]f, after notice of the intention to arrest the defendant, he either flee or forcibly resist, the officer may use all the necessary means to effect the arrest." Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-7-108 (1982).[^maj-5] The Department policy was slightly more restrictive than…