Case ID: la_145/html/0989-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "DAWKINS, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

(83 South. 216)
    No. 23450.
    CLARK v. BISSO.
    (Nov. 3, 1919.)
    
      (Syllabus 'by Editorial Staff.)
    
    Assault and battery <&wkey;40 — Excessive verdict.
    In action for assault, hy an old man who had offered no offense or resistance to defendant, but had begged for mercy, and who was severely beaten about the head and body with a lump of coal, requiring that his scalp be mended, and laying him up for some time, verdict of $750 held proper.
    Appeal from Civil District Court, Parish of Orleans; H. C. Cage, Judge.
    Action by Paul Clark against William A. Bisso. Judgment for plaintiff, and defendant appeals.
    Affirmed.
    Farrar, Goldberg & Dufour and Nat W. Bond, all of New Orleans, for appellant.
    Joseph Harris Brewer, of New Orleans, for appellee.
   DAWKINS, J.

Plaintiff, a colored man, claims $5,000 damages for personal injuries, etc., alleged to have been received as the result of an assault at the hands of the defendant.

Defendant first excepted to the petition on the ground of vagueness, and, this being overruled, answered, denying the assault and averring that the plaintiff was a trespasser upon property belonging to a corporation of which he (defendant) was president. He admits that a piece of coal was thrown at plaintiff, “but denies that it struck him, or that he was injured thereby.”

The case was tried before the lower court without the intervention of a jury, and resulted in a verdict in favor of plaintiff for the sum of $750. Defendant has appealed, and plaintiff has answered, asking that the judgment be increased to the amount originally claimed.

We find it unnecessary to review at length the evidence in this case, but sufficient to say that it shows a severe and unjustified attack upon this old darkey by defendant, in which he was severely beaten about the head and body with a lump of coal as a weapon, requiring that his scalp be mended by a doctor, and laying the plaintiff up for some time. The old man offered no offense or resistance, but merely begged for mercy, and fled from the scene of the attack as soon .as he was permitted to do so.

Taking all of the circumstances into consideration, we think the judgment of the lower court works substantial justice between the parties, and the same is affirmed, at the cost of defendant.