Case ID: how-pr_16/html/0538-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mason, Justice.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

SUPREME COURT.
    Edward Brown and others agt. James K. Bowen and others.
    Where the plaintiff in an action on the case recovers judgment against, one of two defendants, and the other defendant is acquitted, the latter is entitled as a mat- ■ ter of course, to a full bill of costs against the plaintiff.
    And this is so, although the defendant acquitted was absent from the state at the time of the trial; but his co-defendant had in charge the preparation of tho cause for trial, and the witnesses were subpoenaed and attended for both defendants.
    This was an action on the case, and the- defendant James K. Bowen, was acquitted, and a judgment recovered against Wells C. Bowen, and the defendant James K. Bowen, taxed a full bill of costs against the plaintiff, and this motion is for a re-adjustment.
   Mason, Justice.

The defendant was entitled to costs as a matter of course." (4 Seld. R. 29 ; see resolution of court, page 30; also 5 Seld. R. 549.) And besides, the judge at circuit gave him judgment for costs. The rule seems to be settled, that the defendants acquitted are entitled to a full bill of costs, notwithstanding the services rendered, and expenses incurred in their defence, were also rendered and incurred for the other defendant, against whom the plaintiff recovered a verdict (Canfield and others agt. Gaylor and others, 12 W. R. 236; Hinman and others agt. Booth, 20 W. R. 666.)

The defendant swears that each and every of the witnesses were equally necessary for both defendants, and that each and every of the said .witnesses were material and necessary for the defendant James E. Bowen, who was acquitted, and that he, the defendant Wells C. Bowen, had in charge the preparation of the cause for trial, for the said James K. Bowen, and that the said witnesses were subpoenaed and attended at said trial for both of said defendants. It is no answer, therefore, to the said defendant James K. Bowen’s claim for costs, for the plaintiff to say that James K. Bowen had left the state long before the cause was noticed for trial, and was not personally present at the trial, &c., for the cause was prepared for trial by Wells 0. Bowen. The clerk erred in taxing for attendance and travel of James Clarke and Asa Perkins $4.02 each.

They swear that they were not subpoenaed or paid, and did not attend as witnesses for the defendants. There must be $8.04 stricken from the taxed bill of costs, and from the judgment, if one has been entered. Mo costs on this motion to cither party.