Feasler v. Schriever

Mr. Justice McAllister delivered the opinion of the Court: This was case, for slander. Defendant was named in the summons and declaration as Charles Schriever, who pleaded in abatement as follows “ And the defendant, Charles Sohreber, against whom the plaintiff hath issued hisv said writ, and declared thereon by the name of Charles Sehriever, in his own person comes and says that he is named and called Charles Sehreber, and by that name and surname hath always, from the time of his nativity, hitherto been named and called; without this that the said Charles Sehreber is not, nor never was, named and called by the name of Charles Sehriever, as by the said writ and declaration thereon founded is supposed; and this said Charles Sehreber is ready to verify; wherefore he prays judgment that the said writ and declaration be quashed. Charles Schreber.” The plaintiff demurred specially. The court overruled the demurrer, and the plaintiff electing to abide by his demurrer, judgment was given for defendant. The case is brought to this court by writ of error. By the introduction of the words “and the defendant,” the defendant has admitted himself to be the person sued. This, according to the authorities, renders the plea bad. Roberts v. Moore, 5 Term R. 487. In that case, Lord Kenyon, Chief Justice, said: “The court can not hold too strict a hand over these sorts of pleadings, which are calculated to defeat the justice of the case. If indeed a plea in abatement be drawn correctly, the court can not deprive the defendant of the benefit of it. But if there be the least inaccuracy in it, it can not be supported.” Now the defendant, by introducing the word “said,” has admitted himself to be the person sued, and, according to thé case last cited, it is bad. To the same effect is Hyde v. Watson, 1 Denio, 670. Here the misnomer is as to the defendant’s surname. The form of the plea is not adapted to such a case. See form, 3 Chit. Pl. 903. The court erred in overruling plaintiff’s demurrer to the plea, and for this error the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded. Judgment reversed.