Case Name: THE TILLIE BAKER
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1909-03-22
Citations: 168 F. 941
Docket Number: No. 6
Parties: THE TILLIE BAKER.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 168
Pages: 941–942

Head Matter:
THE TILLIE BAKER.
(District Court, E. D. Pennsylvania.
March 22, 1909.)
No. 6.
Fat.se Imprisonment (§ 7 ) — Master of Vessel — Liability.
The master of a vessel, who procured the arrest of a seaman without a warrant, for which no legal justification is shown, is liable in damages for false imprisonment.
[Ed. Note. — For other cases, see False Imprisonment, CeDt Dig. § 47; Dec. Dig. § 7. ]
In.Admiralty. Libel for damages. On final hearing.
See, also, 168 Fed. 942.
Lionel Teller Schlesinger, for libelant.
Edward E. Pugh, for respondent.
For other cases see same topic & § number in Dec. & Am. Digs. 1907 to date, & Rcp’r Indexes

Opinion:
J. B. McPHERSON, District Judge.
The libelant's arrest, which was acquiesced in (and .probably procured) by the respondent, was made without a warrant, and, .as no legal justification has been shown for an arrest without process, the charge of false imprisonment must therefore be sustained. But this offense, I think, is only chargeable against the respondent during the period between September 5th and September 23d. He had nothing to do with what took place on and after the last-named date. The libelant is entitled to some damages; but his admitted misconduct and his insubordinate behavior were so exasperating, to say the least, that the amount to be awarded should be very moderate.
A decree may be entered in his' favor for $25, with costs.