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3 S.C.L. 243

Champion v. Smith

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Decided April 15, 1803

Supreme Court of South Carolina · decided 1803-04-15

The case was trespass vi et armis for taking away a horse from the plaintiff; and was tried before Brevard, J. in York district. It appeared in evidence, that one Chisolm owned the horse in question, and sent him to his father lo keep for him ; that a younger brother of Chisolm took the. horse to ride, and did not return him.

Decided 1803-04-15

¶1The court,

Waties, Johnson, Bast, and Trezevant, Justices,(absent Grimke, J.,)

¶2were of opinion, that the verdict, so far as it assessed damages for the value of the horse, was against evidence ; as the evidence seemed quite sufficient to prove that Chisolm had the bast right to the horse ; and they thought the presiding judge had charged the jury erroneously on this point, as the evidence on behalf of the defendant was sufficient ti} prove the horse to have been Chisolm’s by a prior title, which must be deemed good until rebutted by evidence on the part of the plaintiff. The court therefore granted a new trial, unless plaintiff would release the damages for the value of the horse. See 14 Vin. Abr. 592, et seq. as to releasing damages.

¶3Note. In trespass the defendant may in all cases give evidence of title unte the generaHssue. 7 T. R. 354. 3 T. R. 403. *

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