Pendleton v. . Davis , 46 N.C. 98 ( 1853 )

The battery complained of, was a blow inflicted upon the head of the plaintiff with a stick, and was made in the Court. It ensued upon the occurrence of an angry conversation between the parties, and no justification was alleged.

Evidence was offered to show that the defendant was a man of large property, worth from seventy-five to a hundred thousand dollars. This was tendered with a view to the enhancement of damages. The Court was asked by the plaintiff's counsel, to instruct the jury, that the circumstance of the injury's being inflicted in the Court House, during the session of the Court, might be considered in the question of exemplary damages. The reception of the evidence was objected to by the defendant's counsel, but received by the Court; and his Honor also instructed the jury as requested by plaintiff's counsel, that the pecuniary ability of the defendant, as well as the place and attendant circumstances, might be considered by them upon the question of damages, and the defendant's counsel excepted for error in the reception of the evidence, and in the instructions given by the Court.

The verdict was for "$100 actual damages, and $1,000, as exemplary damages."

Judgment and appeal to the Superior Court. It is admitted, that the jury were at liberty to give exemplary damages. The objections to the charge are met by the case of McAULAY v. BURKHEAD, 13 Ired. Rep. 28: "To enable juries properly to exercise this discretion, it is necessary to put them in possession of all the facts and circumstances connected with the parties, as well as the act;" "a thousand dollars may be a less punishment to one man than a hundred dollars to another."

It is said, that the circumstance, that the blow was given in the presence of the Court, should not have been left to the jury, because the defendant was liable to be fined for that, as a contempt, and if the jury could also take it into consideration, he would be punished twice for the same thing. Upon the same ground, it might be insisted, that a jury could not give exemplary damages when a defendant was liable to an indictment; yet, it is well settled law, that a jury may give exemplary damages in such cases. No doubt the Court, in imposing the fine, would take into consideration the fact, that exemplary damages had been recovered. In several cases the proceedings in indictments have been stayed until it was ascertained what would be the recovery in the civil action.

It was also insisted, that no judgment could be rendered on the verdict, because of its uncertainty. It is not in the usual form, but it is in effect for $1,100, as damages, and the jury go on unnecessarily to disconnect and say $100 is for actual damages, and $1,000 is for exemplary damages. This is surplusage, and comes within the application of the rule,utile per inutile non vitiatur. In assumpsit for a liquidated account, the proper finding is, "who assess the plaintiff's damage at $1,100, of which sum $1,000 is principal money, and $100 by way of interest." But a finding, "who assess the plaintiff's damage to $1,000 for principal money, and $100 for interest," would in fact be assessing the damages at $1,100, and although not formal, would be sufficiently certain.

Judgment affirmed.