Smith v. Weaver

Court: Superior Court of North Carolina
Date filed: 1799-10-15
Citations: 1 N.C. 58
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Lead Opinion
Taylor, J.

It is not necessary to enquire what would have been the legal consequences as app

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lied 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.