Case ID: me_89/html/0074-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Haskell, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

State vs. James W. Carver.
    Androscoggin.
    Opinion April 1, 1896.
    
      Assault. Self-Defense.
    
    The intent to do harm is an essential element in all criminal prosecutions for assault. i
    An instruction that a wanton motion, an angry motion, coupled with thesability at the time, and under the circumstances to do harm, is an assault, and if carried into effect, is an assault and battery, is erroneous inasmuch as it omits the element of intent. The motion may be wanton, made in an angry manner, coupled with an ability to do harm, and yet no harm be intended, and if harm should result may be from pure accident.
    A man when assaulted is not required to cowardly flee from danger, but may assert a manly self-defense, necessary for his protection.
    An instruction that it is a man’s duty, as a good citizen, to preserve the peace; and when he finds he is in danger of being attacked in any way, it is his duty to try every other means, first by retiring, withdrawing from the scene, or by remonstrance or by calling in assistance, is erroneous.
    On Exceptions by Defendant.
    Tbe defendant was convicted of an assault and battery in tbe court below and took tbe exceptions wbicb will be found in tbe opinion of tbe court. At tbe trial, be claimed tbat all tbe force wbicb be used was proper in kind and degree, and under tbe circumstances, perfectly justifiable and consistent with bis rights; tbat be was on a public street, where be bad a right to be; tbat when be was first pushed or struck and knocked off tbe sidewalk, be was under no obligation to turn and run from tbe assailant, but be bad a right to return to tbe walk, and, if tbe assault continued, to repel force with force.
    
      W. 3. Judkins, Comity Attorney, for tbe State.
    Tbe first instruction is substantially similar to tbe language of all tbe text-book writers. II Addison Torts, § 787; Heard’s Crim. Law, p. 371; Rapalje and Lawrence Law Diet. Assault. R. S., c. 118, § 27.
    Tbe second instruction excepted to, stating tbe law of self-defense, is a correct statement of tbe law both abstractly, and as applied to tbe evidence in tbe case at bar. Rogers v. Waite, 44 Maine, 275, (277) ; Sanson v. R. N. A. R. R. Oo., 62 Maine, 84, (89). “Tbe force used must be suitable in kind, and reasonable in degree.” Tbe instruction excepted to, means tbat, and nothing more.
    
      J. R. Swasey and Rdgar M. Briggs, for defendant.
    Under tbe instructions tbe jury were precluded from acquitting tbe defendant, as be at no time retreated, nor did be remonstrate nor call in assistance. Counsel cited: Runyan v. State, 57 Ind. 57 — 80, S. C. 26 Am. Rep. 52; Irwin v. State, 29 Ohio St. 186, 193, 199, S. C. 23 Am. Rep. 733; Babcock v. People, 13 Colo. 515; Beard v. U. S. 158 U. S. 550; State v. West, 45 La. Ann. 14.
    Sitting : Peters, C. J.,Walton, Foster, Haskell, Wiswell, Stroitt, JJ.
   Haskell, J.

Indictment for assault and battery. Tbe defendant was convicted below. .He excepts to two several extracts from tbe judge’s charge, viz:

I. “Well, no matter how slight this may be, if it amounts to a wanton motion, an angry motion, coupled with the ability at the time, and under the circumstances to do harm, it is an assault, and if carried into effect, it is a battery, assault and battery; but it is indifferent which one it is, because they are both punishable, and are practically the same thing.”

This instruction is erroneous inasmuch as it omits the element of intent. The motion may be wanton, made in an angry manner, coupled with an ability to do harm, and yet no harm be intended, and if harm should result may be from pure accident.

II. “But a man should never resort, to violence in self-defense until necessary. It is a man’s duty, as a good citizen, to preserve the peace; and when he finds he is in danger of being attacked in any way, it is his duty as a good citizen to try every other means, first by retiring, withdrawing from the scene, or by remonstrance, or by calling in assistance ; but still, whenever the emergency is so quick, and the danger is so present that there is no time left for anything of that kind, that you can’t withdraw in season, and if you think you are liable to be hit in the back if you do withdraw, or are liable to be hit before an officer' comes up, and a remonstrance will do no good, then in self-defense of your person and in self-respect,-you are authorized to strike the first blow in order to prevent an assault on you.”

That a man when assaulted be required to cowardly flee from danger, and not assert a manly self-defense, necessary for Ms protection, does not seem to comport with the laws of a free and enlightened people, and as said by the Supreme Court we cannot give our assent to such doctrine. Beard v. United States, 158 U. S., 550.

Exceptions sustained.