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Commyns served as sheriff until [[1837]]. Shortly thereafter, he was involved in an altercation in which he witnessed a man abusing one of his slaves. When the man refused to stop, Commyns shot him in the leg, took him to a hospital, and turned himself into the authorities. The man died the next day. Commyns was tried and acquitted by a jury on grounds of self-defense.

==Notable cases==