Case ID: neb_98/html/0478-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Fawcett, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

State, ex rel. Helen Schafer, appellee, v. Benjamin Teller, appellant.
    Filed June 5, 1915.
    No. 18186.
    Bastardy: Excessive Judgment. In a bastardy proceeding against a young man, 19 years of age, who is without other resources than his wages of $13 a week, and his dinners, as usher in a store, a judgment for $3,205, payable in monthly instalments of $15 a month, is excessive.
    Appeal from tbe district court for Douglas county: Abraham L. Sutton, Judge.
    
      Reversed with, directions.
    
    
      Harry B. Fleharty, for appellant.
    
      A. H. Bigelow, contra.
    
   Fawcett, J.

This is an appeal by defendant from a judgment of tbe district court for Douglas county in a bastardy proceeding.

Five errors are assigned, but tbe fifth assignment only will he considered, as the first four are clearly without merit. The fifth assignment is that the judgment is excessive. Defendant was 19 years of age at the time of the trial, was earning $18 a week, and had no other resources. He held a position as usher in a dry goods store, spending part of his time in a cafe operated in connection with the store. In addition to his salary, he was furnished his dinners in the cafe. The judgment was for $3,205, payable in monthly instalments of $15 a month. Under this judgment the payments would continue until the child became 18 years of age. We think the judgment is excessive and should be substantially reduced.

The judgment of the district court is therefore reversed and the cause remanded, with directions to enter judgment in favor of the prosecutrix for $1,800, payable at the rate of $100 a year, in quarterly or monthly instalments as the district court may deem most appropriate.

Reversed.

Rose, Sedgwick and Hamer, JJ., not sitting.