Genevey v. Edwards

G-ileillan, C. J. This is an action for malicious prosecution of proceedings in the municipal court of Minneapolis against the plaintiff upon a charge of larceny. The verdict shows how difficult it is for the average jury to comprehend that one charged with a ■crime of which he is innocent is not necessarily entitled to recover ■damages from his accuser. It is pretty evident that the decision was determined by the mere question of the plaintiff’s guilt or innocence of the crime charged against him; for although the court charged correctly upon the effect advice of counsel has on the question of probable cause, and although there can be no question on the evidence but that defendant in good faith took and acted ■on advice of counsel, the jury rendered a verdict for the plaintiff. The charge of larceny was of a duebill made by plaintiff’s firm, Genevey & Hart, and payable in merchandise and work from their [90] store to the defendant’s firm, the W. A. Edwards Printing Company. There seems to have been some trouble about it, — something like a refusal by plaintiff’s ñrm to deliver goods or work upon it. Defendant sent Stables, an employe of his firm, with the duebill' to plaintiff, either to learn what was the matter, or to collect it.. As to what took place at that interview the testimony of plaintiff' and of Stables does not disagree in any essential particular. Stables says plaintiff snatched the duebill out of his hand, and plain-' tiff says Stables handed it to him, (evidently for the purpose of examining it.) They agree that plaintiff put it in his pocket and kept it, refusing to redeliver it to Stables on his demand, excusing this act by the claim that the duebill had been altered since its issue. Stables reported what had occurred to defendant, who sent his attorney, Childs, to plaintiff, to ascertain what was the matter, and to get the duebill. Plaintiff did not deliver the duebill to Childs, but gave him abusive language, and ordered him out of file-store. On Childs’ reporting this to defendant, the latter sent Stables to him, and it is to be assumed that what was- done by those two was by authority of defendant. After hearing Stables’ account of what took place between him and plaintiff, Childs expressed the opinion that plaintiff’s act was larceny, but advised no other action than to consult the county attorney. They saw the assistant county attorney, and Stables told the story to him, and he expressed the opinion that the case was one of larceny, but thought the charge would better be for petit larceny, which would come within the jurisdiction of the municipal court and under the control of the city attorney, and advised them to see that officer. They did so, and, after hearing Stables’ account, he expressed the opinion that it was a case of larceny, and advised or authorized a prosecution in the municipal court. They went-to that court, Stables swore to a complaint, a warrant was issued,, plaintiff arrested and arraigned, and pleaded not guilty. On a. day to which this case was continued, the court, upon the consent of the city attorney, who had charge of it, dismissed it. There can be no doubt that Stables fully and fairly stated what took place-between him and plaintiff to Childs, to the assistant county attorney, and to the city attorney, and that he, on behalf of the defend [91] ant, sought and acted upon the opinions of those attorneys. On their opinions he had a right to believe, and beyond question did believe, that plaintiffs act constituted larceny, and, because of such belief, made in good faith the complaint against him. (Opinion published 56 N. W. Rep. 578.) Honest belief in the party’s guilt upon such advice, after such full and fair statement, is probable cause to commence a criminal prosecution. Order reversed.