Abbott v. Holland

Supreme Court of Georgia
Abbott v. Holland, 20 Ga. 598 (Ga. 1856)
Benning

Abbott v. Holland

Opinion of the Court

By the Court.

Benning, J.

delivering the opinion.

[1.] The question in this case is, whether a Constable who has arrested the defendant in a ca. sa. is liable to a rule for an escape, if the defendant has been rescued from him by a “mob?” The Court below held that a Constable is; and this decision, as we think, was right.

The only sort of rescue which, it seems, will excuse the Sheriff from not bringing in the body of a defendant whom he has arrested on a ca. sa. is that which is by the “King’s enemies.” A rescue by “rebels” or “traitors” will not do. Much less, therefore, will a rescue by a mob do. (Sewall on Sh'ff 388-'9; Bac. Abr’g’t “Escape;” Com. Dig. “Rescon’s” (D. 7.)

A Sheriff, by the Judiciary Act of 1799, may be ruled for an escape. (Cobb’s Dig. 1142.)

And by an Act of 1812, “ Constables shall be subject to be ruled by their respective Justice’s Courts,” “ under the same regulations as are pursued in the Superior Court in relation to offiesrs of said Court.” (Cobb’s Dig. 649.)

Reference

Full Case Name
Obadiah Abbott, in error v. James H. Holland, in error
Status
Published