 This confession had been received in evidence by the judge and the prisoner was convicted and executed.The Catholic Encyclopedia contends that it is "obvious" that neither of the parties could have regarded the confession as sacramental.Lord Kenyon said that he would have paused before admitting such evidence, adding

In this case a priest was imprisoned for contempt of court for refusing to answer whether John Butler, 12th Baron Dunboyne, professed the Catholic faith at the time of his death.