Superior Court of North Carolina, 1799

Smith v. Weaver

Smith v. Weaver
Superior Court of North Carolina · Decided October 15, 1799 · Assented, Haywood, Taylor
1 N.C. 58

Counsel

Browne for the defendant., Baker for the plaintiff.

Smith v. Weaver

Opinion of the Court

Taylor, J.

It is not necessary to enquire what would have been the legal consequences as app*61lied to the present suit, if a felony had been committed; because that fact, having been properly put in issue upon a criminal prosecution, has been negatived by the finding of a jury. The plaintiff in prosecuting for the felony has done all that the law requires of him, and the acquittal of the defendant could be no broader than the charge; consequently the trespass remains. I do not think it necessary to decide whether, in any case of trespass, it would be a good defence that the facts proved amounted to felony, although the charge in the declaration was of a trespass merely; because I am clearly of opinion, from the circumstances of this case, that the verdict is properly found.

Haywood, J. assented.

Motion denied.

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