Case ID: wis_123/html/0583-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "WiNsnow, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Monson, Appellant, vs. Lewis, Respondent.
    
      December 14, 1904
    
    January 10, 1905.
    
    
      Assault and battery: Justification: Burden of proof: Instructions to jury.
    
    1. In an action against an overseer of highways for an assault and battery upon one working under him, an instruction given to the jury: “If the defendant in this case ordered and directed the plaintiff to let go of the scraper and quit work, and discharged him, and the plaintiff refused to let go of the scraper and refused to quit work, then, after such order and refusal., the defendant had a right to use proper and reasonable force to enable him to control the scraper in question and the jury • must determine from all the evidence how much and what kind of force the defendant did in fact use,” is held erroneous in that it admits of the construction that, if the defendant' had discharged the plaintiff, the defendant was entitled to take the scraper from plaintiff’s possession by force, if the force used was reasonable and proper to accomplish the purpose.
    2. In such case, where the giving of the blow by defendant and the consequent damage was admitted, an instruction, that, in this case, as in all other civil cases, the burden is upon the plaintiff to establish the facts essential to his recovery by a preponderance of the evidence, is held erroneous, in that it might well be understood as meaning that the plaintiff, after proving the blow, was obliged to prove that there 'was no justification.
    3. In assault and battery where the blow and consequent damage is admitted by the defendant, a prima facie case is made, and the burden then lies upon the defendant to prove facts constituting a justification therefor.
    Appeal from a judgment 'of tbe circuit court for Columbia county: E. Ray SteveNs, Circuit Judge.
    
      Reversed.
    
    This is an action to recover damages for an assault and battery by wbicb tbe plaintiff’s arm was broken. Tbe answer alleged tbat at tbe time of tbe alleged assault tbe defendant was commissioner of highways, and tbat while engaged in bis official duties the plaintiff assaulted him, and while lawfully defending himself -from such assault be bad a personal encounter with tbe plaintiff, but tbat tbe defendant acted only in lawful self-defense, and used no more force than, under the circumstances, was necessary, and that, if the plaintiff’s arm was broken, it was not through any wrongful act of the defendant, hut by the wrongful acts of the plaintiff himself. The evidence shows that on the 3d of July, 1903, the parties were working on the highway (the defendant being superintendent of highways, and the plaintiff working under him), and that the plaintiff was handling an ordinary scraper, the horses attached to the scraper being driven by a third person; that the defendant was not satisfied with the manner in which the plaintiff handled the scraper, and an altercation arose between them, which resulted in a personal encounter. The plaintiff’s testimony tended to show that he retained possession of the scraper, and the defendant attempted to take the scraper away from him, and struck his arm in the attempt, by which the arm was broken. The defendant’s testimony tended to show that during the altercation the scraper came to a standstill, and that he then discharged the plaintiff from the work, and the plaintiff stood up and let go of the scraper; that thereupon the defendant took hold of both handles of the scraper, and the plaintiff then tried to take it away from him, and he (defendant) struck the plaintiff’s arm in defending his possession of the scraper. There was a verdict and judgment for the defendant, and the plaintiff appeals.
    
      Daniel H. Grady, for the appellant.
    
      W. S. Stroud, for the respondent.
   WiNsnow, J.

There was no doubt, under the evidence, of the fact that the defendant struck the plaintiff and fractured-his arm; but the principal disputed question seemed to be whether the defendant struck the blow while trying to take the scraper from plaintiff’s possession, or whether the plaintiff had entirely let go of the scraper, and the defendant liacl, without violence, taken it. and struck the blow while the plaintiff was endeavoring to retake it. In the one case the act of defendant was an attempt to take the property by force from plaintiff’s possession, and in the other ease it was an ■attempt to defend his own possession. In this situation of the evidence, the following instruction was given:

“If the defendant in this case ordered and directed the plaintiff to let go of the scraper and quit work, and discharged him, and the plaintiff refused to let go of the scraper and refused to quit work, then, after such order and refusal, the defendant had a right to use proper and reasonable force to enable him to control the scraper in question, and the jury must determine from all the evidence how much and what kind of force the defendant did in fact use.”

This instruction admits at least of the construction that, if the defendant had discharged the plaintiff, the defendant was ■entitled to take the scraper from plaintiff’s possession by force, if the force used was reasonable and proper to accomplish the purpose. TVe do not understand this' to be the law. It was held in Barnes v. Martin, 15 Wis. 240, that the owner of property which is in the peaceable possession of another has no right to retake the property by force. This.principle is based upon public policy. It is in the interest of peace and public order. Any other rule would substitute the strong •arm for the court of justice, and promote lawbreaking and -violence. The right of, the owner to recapture personal property is to be exercised only when he may peaceably do so, with the possible exception (not necessary to be cliscussed hero) that; when the property has been momentarily taken from the owner by force or fraud, it may be lawfully retaken, if only reasonable and proper force be used. 2 Am. & Eng. Ency. of Law (2d ed.) 983; 3 Cyc. 1078. In the present case, plaintiff’s original possession of the scraper was lawful, and, if he retained the possession continuously, the defendant was -not justified in, using force to take it away; but if the plaintiff let go- of it, and the defendant peaceably took possession, lie might defend such possession with reasonable and proper force.

The court further charged the jury that “in this case, as in all other civil cases, the burden is upon the plaintiff to establish the facts essential to his recovery by a preponderance of' the evidence.” This might well be understood as meaning that tho plaintiff, after proving the blow, was obliged to prove that there was no justification for it. This is not the law. Tho blow and consequent damage being admitted by the-defendant, a prima facie case was made, and the burden lay upon him to prove facts constituting a justification therefor. Timm v. Bear, 29 Wis. 254; Blake v. Damon, 103 Mass. 199; 2 Greenleaf, Ev. (15th ed.) §§ 95-98.

By Hie Gourt. — Judgment reversed, and action remanded for a new trial.