Case ID: f_168/html/0941-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "J. B. McPHERSON, District Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

THE TILLIE BAKER.
    (District Court, E. D. Pennsylvania.
    March 22, 1909.)
    No. 6.
    Fat.se Imprisonment (§ 7) — Master of Vessel — Liability.
    The master of a vessel, who procured the arrest of a seaman without a warrant, for which no legal justification is shown, is liable in damages for false imprisonment.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see False Imprisonment, CeDt Dig. § 47; Dec. Dig. § 7.]
    
      In.Admiralty. Libel for damages. On final hearing.
    See, also, 168 Fed. 942.
    Lionel Teller Schlesinger, for libelant.
    Edward E. Pugh, for respondent.
    
      
      For other cases see same topic & § number in Dec. & Am. Digs. 1907 to date, & Rcp’r Indexes
    
   J. B. McPHERSON, District Judge.

The libelant’s arrest, which was acquiesced in (and .probably procured) by the respondent, was made without a warrant, and, .as no legal justification has been shown for an arrest without process, the charge of false imprisonment must therefore be sustained. But this offense, I think, is only chargeable against the respondent during the period between September 5th and September 23d. He had nothing to do with what took place on and after the last-named date. The libelant is entitled to some damages; but his admitted misconduct and his insubordinate behavior were so exasperating, to say the least, that the amount to be awarded should be very moderate.

A decree may be entered in his' favor for $25, with costs.