Case Name: Venable v. Martin
Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
Jurisdiction: North Carolina
Decision Date: 1814-04
Citations: 1 Car. L. Rep.  515
Docket Number: 
Parties: Venable v. Martin.
Judges: 
Reporter: North Carolina Reports
Volume: 4
Pages: 515–515

Head Matter:
Venable v. Martin.
Motion, on the part of the Plaintiff, to strike out from the taxation of costs, the attendance of several witnesses, summoned by the defendant, but not examined. It appeared that the witnesses were called to the book, sworn, and, on motion of the plaintiff, committed to the care of an officer.

Opinion:
Hall, J.
delivered the opinion of the Court.
When it appears to the Court that a party has summoned a witness, not at all material in the suit, justice requires that he should pay the costs so incurred himself, and that his adversary should not be charged with them. But the person aggrieved should make his objections as soon as he can, after having made the discovery ; one strong reason for which, is, that the judge who tried the cause, is much better qualified to judge of the materiality of a witness than any succeeding judge.
Whether the witnesses in the present case, were material or not, it is unnecessary, however, to inquire, because they amongst others, were at the plaintiff's own motion called, sworn and delivered over to the sheriff, which we all think was sufficient notice that they were summoned ; and if they were not examined, he ought then to have ascertained the fact of their immateriality, and not have postponed it to a time when the inquiry is much more difficult to be made.
Let the present motion be dismissed.