Cooper v. Turrentine

LARGAN,-C. J. In an action for a malicious prosecution the plaintiff must show that he has been prosecuted by the defendant, either criminally or in a civil suit; that the prosecution has been terminated in his favor, and that it was instituted maliciously and-without-probable cause. — 2 Greenl. Ev §449. The fact of the prosecution must be proved by the production of a copy of the record, (if the proceedings were had in a court of record,) or by the papéis themselves, if they can be obtained. As the affidavit made by Freeman and the warrant issued thereon by the justice of the peace correspond with the description given of them in the declaration, we do not see on what ground they were rejected by the court below as evidence. Even if the suit could not under any circumstances be maintained against Turrentine, the magistrate'who issued the warrant on the affidavit of Freeman, which, however, is a question we do intend to decide in the present condition of the record, still the affidavit and warrant were essential evidence to enable the plaintiff to recover against Freoman; and the plaintiff may recover against him notwithstanding he fails to recover against the justice. In actions for torts, where two or more are sued, die plaintiff may recover against one, although die others be acquitted. Any evidence therefore that will sustain the issue against any one of the wrong-doers is competent and must be received! — Palmer v. Severance & Stewart, and authorities cited in the brief of plaintiff’s counsel. The Court erred in rejecting the affidavit and warrant as evidence, and the judgment must be reversed and the cause remanded.