Case Name: Staphorse v. County of New Haven
Court: Connecticut Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1789-08
Citations: 1 Root 126
Docket Number: 
Parties: Staphorse v. County of New Haven.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 126–126

Head Matter:
Staphorse v. County of New Haven.
Action for the escape of one "Warren, committed on execution, through, the insufficiency of the gaol.
Judgment last court — That the county was liable. The debt is about £500.
Question upon a hearing in damages ■ — ■ Whether judgment should be for the whole debt and the lawful fees; or only for the special damages the plaintiff had sustained by the escape.

Opinion:
J udgment for £7 5 the special damages only. Contra Law, J.; Chauncey, J., excused himself from judging.
This appeal's most agreeable to the genius of our laws and the policy of the country. If the debtor has estate, the creditor has his remedy against him; if he is bankrupt, it is of little consequence to keep him in prison; and the special damages may be such as to induce the counties to keep their gaols in good repair, and enable the creditor to recover his debtor again.