Sumner v. . Shipman

Boyden, J. The charge of his Honor, as to what would •constitute a justification, if erroneous, could not have prejudiced the plaintiff', as the verdict for the defendant upon the plea of the general issue, precluded the consideration of the issue upon the plea of justification. We would not be understood as intimating that his Honor’s charge was erroneous upon that point, for, as we understand his charge,'we are inclined to think it correct. The counsel for the plaintiff insisted, that as the jury had not passed upon the plea of justification, he had a right to avail himself of the admission in that plea, and that he was -entitled to a'judgment non obstante veredicto. There is no principle of law or reason, upon which-such a position can be sustained. Have not the jury found that the •slanderous words charged in the declaration, were never published by the defendant Í and does not that put an end to the ■ cause of the plaintiff! The counsel could not doubt this, had there been no other plea beside the general issue. Reason and • common sense would seem to be sufficient to determine this •question without the citation of any authority. *625 It has already been adjudicated that oí the several pleas, >each is separate and independent, as if contained in different ¡records. Whitaker v. Freeman, 1 Dev. 271. Upon what does the defendant rely for his defence ? and in ■what order are the jury to consider of their verdict ? Eirst, it was the duty of the jury (and we are to suppose they were so instructed by his Honor) to consider of their verdict upon the plea of the general issue, and should they find for the (■defendant, upon that plea, then they would return into Court ¡and deliver their verdict, as the finding for the defendant upon 'that plea precluded all consideration of the two remaining pleas. But, should the plea of the general issue be found for the plaintiff, then it would be the duty of the jury to consider of 'their verdict, upon the plea of the statute of limitation ; and .•should the jury find this issue in favor of the defendant, then, >as upon the plea of the general issue, they must return their •verdict upon this plea without considering of their verdict ¡upon the plea of justification. There is no error. JPer Curiam. Judgment affirmed.