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1 Wheel. Cr. Cas. 405

People v. Powers

New York Court of Common Pleas

Decided June 15, 1823

New York Court of Common Pleas · decided 1823-06-15

Assault, and Battery The facts of the case appeared to be as follows : Mr. Hogan had come to New York, on a visit, and dined o > i the City-Hotel, with the Rev. Mr. Doyle, a clergyman, In the afternoon they walked out together, and went on board the ship Amity, one of the Liverpooljiackets, from thence to the ship Alexander Mansfield.

Decided 1823-06-15

¶1The Court observed, the least violence to the person of another, was an assault and battery. The law deemed the person of a man sacred, and would not allow the least violence to it. And this is not so much for the injury that might he offered and suffered, as the insult and indignity. Spitting in the face was not calculated to injure the person, yet it was a violent outrage and assault upon the person, an indignity to, and contempt for, the feelings of a man, not to be tolerated. It appears, by the testimony in this ease, that Mr. Powers struck Mr. Hogan, either with his fist br his glove, and either was sufficient, as it does not appear^ that this blow was necessary for self-defence. He was, therefore, guilty of an assault and battery if the jury should believe the evidence, and should also believe the act amounted to an assault and battery.

¶2The jury found the defendant guilty without leaving the box.

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