Case ID: del-cas_2/html/0198-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

JOHN WALLACE v. JOHN BUTLER.
    Court of Common Pleas. Kent.
    December 6, 1803.
    
      Rodney’s Notes.
    
      H. Ridgely [for plaintiff]. Clayton [for defendant].
    Defendants say the loom belonged to Letitia Jones. She lent it to John Wallace until she wanted; she went after it and took Butler, the defendant, with her to bring it home. Plaintiff’s wife did not object (only wished her to lend it to her a while longer) and they took it peaceably. Butler was to buy it if she would deliver it out of the house.
    
      Ridgely.
    
    Esp.N.P. 380. Trespass any injury by force, etc. 5 Bac.Abr. 159. Esp.N.P. 403. Possession sufficient to maintain trespass. 5 Bac.Abr. 203. Justification admits property in plaintiff generally.
    
      Clayton for defendant.
    3 Bl.Comm. 212. 3 Wils. 377. 2 Term. 156, 157, 158.
    
      Ridgely in conclusion.
   Per Curiam.

Justification in this case does not admit the property in plaintiff. Defendant might enter the house, demand the loom and (if not opposed) in a peaceable manner take it away if she had lent it; if it was not her property, defendant was a trespasser in aiding and assisting as a principal. So also if it was taken from the house in a forcible manner though her property.

Verdict for defendant.