Case Name: Nath'l & John Williams v. Elisha Cheek
Court: Kentucky Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Kentucky
Decision Date: 1801-08-11
Citations: 1 Sneed 64
Docket Number: 
Parties: Nath’l & John Williams v. Elisha Cheek.
Judges: 
Reporter: Kentucky Reports
Volume: 2
Pages: 64–65

Head Matter:
AUGUST 11, 1801.
Nath’l & John Williams v. Elisha Cheek.
Upon a writ of error to reverse a judgment of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Bourbon county.
Where, to a declaration in trespass, issues were joined on pleas of not guilty, and the jury sworn — not to try those issues — but to inquire of damages, a judgment upon their verdict must be reversed.

Opinion:
In the plaintiff's declaration there are two distinct counts or charges, one against the defendant John, and one against the defendant Nathaniel, to which they severally pleaded not guilty, and issues were joined thereon accordingly. But the jury was not sworn to try those issues, but to inquire of damages, and a verdict and judgment have been jointly rendered against both; so that it can not appear to this court that the merits of the cause have been fairly and fully decided. Therefore, it is considered by the court, that the judgment aforesaid be reversed and set aside; that the cause be remanded to the court from whence it came, for new proceedings to be had therein, to commence by empannelling a jury to try the two issues aforesaid, and that the plaintiffs recover of the defendant their costs in this behalf expended; which is ordered to be certified to the said court.