Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1918

Townsend v. . McCullum

Townsend v. . McCullum
Supreme Court of North Carolina · Decided March 20, 1918 · PER CURIAM.
95 S.E. 364; 175 N.C. 698; 1918 N.C. LEXIS 137 (South Eastern Reporter)

Townsend v. . McCullum

Opinion of the Court

Pee Cttbiam :

The great weight of evidence in this case tends to prove that defendant is a merchant in the town of Star, N. C.; that on 31 M^rch, 1916, he was engaged in shooting sparrows in the town and very near the Leach Hotel with a 27 Winchester rifle. In firing the rifle he sent a ball into the toilet of the hotel, which was sixty yards distant from where defendant was shooting and shot plaintiff in the head, inflicting a painful and severe wound.

We have examined the entire evidence and record and find no error. In the absence of prohibitive ordinance the defendant was guilty of such reckless conduct, if the evidence is to be believed, as must render him liable to plaintiff for the injury inflicted.

If defendant had killed plaintiff he would probably have to answer a charge of manslaughter as well as this demand for damages.

No error.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.