Berry v. Williams
Berry v. Williams
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff in Certiorari has moved to reverse for several reasons, which may properly be considered in the same order in which presented.
1. That the'summons is irregular, there being more than fifteen days between the teste and the return. This is an objec
2. That the complaint does not set out the estate of complainant in the premises. This is an objection that does not seem to be supported in point of fact. The complainant alleges in his complaint that he was possessed of the premises as tenant for years of a leasehold estate not yet ended.
3. It is objected that the Sheriff, after he had returned the venire, was permitted to amend his return by adding the name of a juror to the panel. But it is stated in the transcript of the justice as well as in the case agreed upon, that the juror whose name was so added had been duly summoned with the others and was then present, his name having been merely omitted on the panel. The books cited shew that this was permitted, in accordance with authority, as well as with obvious propriety and sound principle. Watson’s Sheriff, 71, (Law Lib.); Sewall, 385, (Law Lib.)
4. Again it was said that there was no evidence of actual possession. The case expressly says that the complainant, previously in possession, continued to occupy the old school house until the injury complained of. The jury were rightly instructed by the justice that actual possession must be proved in the complainant : from the case itself, it certainly appears that there was some evidence of possession, and we will not interfere with their finding.
5. It is said that there was no evidence of such force as is contemplated by the statute on which this process was founded ; that there was no proof of threats, intimidation or force, or of any circumstance the tendency of which was to excite fear or apprehension. The words of the statute are, that if any person shall enter upon any lands, &c., and detain or hold the same with force or strong hand, or with weapons, or by breaking open the doors, windows, or other parts of a house, whether any person be in it or not, or by any kind of violence whatsoever, or by threatening to kill, maim, or beat, the party in possession, or by such words, circumstances, or actions, as have a natural tendency to excite fear, or apprehension of danger, or by putting
6. But lastly, the justice was required to charge the jury, and the propriety of his charge is drawn in question. I do not suppose, that if called upon to charge the jury as to the proper construction of the statute, upon a point really presented by the case, that merely reading the statute would be sufficient. Reading the statute is no explanation of it. Although so held
In regard to the evidence necessary to support the verdict, so far as this- point comes in question, it has been considered in the remarks already made. But the evidence is not given, and its weight, and whether sufficient"to support the verdict, therefore
I am of opinion this judgment must be affirmed.
Nevius, J. concurred.
This court will not on Certiorari, examine or weigh evidence, or set aside verdict because it is against, evidence. Andrews v. Andrews, 2 Green, 141; Baldwin v. Simmons, 4 Halst. 196.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- BERRY v. WILLIAMS
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- Published