Case Name: Hugh Lackey and Joshua Briggs v. Daniel M'Donald
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1803-08
Citations: 1 Cole. & Cai. Cas. 190
Docket Number: 
Parties: Hugh Lackey and Joshua Briggs v. Daniel M'Donald.
Judges: 
Reporter: Coleman & Caines' Cases
Volume: 1
Pages: 190–191

Head Matter:
Hugh Lackey and Joshua Briggs v. Daniel M'Donald.
THE plaintiffs, in July, 1802, had stipulated to try this cause .at the next circuit- court,, and.did not do so.
M. B. Hildreth,
on this ground, now moved for judgment as in case of nonsuit.
Schoenhoven read an affidavit,
which was not denied, stating that the defendant, after the commencement of the suit, and before a trial could be had, was sentenced to the state prison, where he still remained, and prayed to discontinue without payment of costs.
Van Ness,
amicus curios, mentioned, that when the defendant rendered proceedings useless, the court was always disposed to permit a plaintiff to discontinue without costs. In Jackson, on the demise of Ludlow, v. Webb, after issue joined, the defendant abandoned the possession, and the lessor of the plaintiff having entered, did not notice the cause for trial. The defendant then moved for judgment, as in case of nonsuit, but the court denied his motion, and gave leave to discontinue without payment of costs.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The opinion of the court is, that sufficient has been shown, to prevent the judgment of nonsuit. The defendant has, by his own act, deprived the plaintiffs of that remedy, which they might have had against his person ; his body is out of their reach, and that by his own act. It is not, therefore, necessary, that they should proceed and incur expenses for nothing, as there is not any property from whence they can be reimbursed.— The plaintiffs, therefore, are entitled to discontinue, and without costs.