Case Name: THOMPSON v. CARBERY
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1811-12
Citations: 23 F. Cas. 1028
Docket Number: 
Parties: THOMPSON v. CARBERY.
Judges: FITZHUGH, Circuit Judge, absent.
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 23
Pages: 1028–1028

Head Matter:
Case No. 18,946.
THOMPSON v. CARBERY.
[2 Cranch, C. C. 39.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
Dec. Term, 1811.
New Trial — Replevin—Verdict pop. Value and Damages.
In replevin, if the title to the goods be in issue, the court will grant a new trial, if the jury give the defendant a verdict for the value of the goods, as well as damages for taking them.
[See Case No. 13.945.]
This was a motion for a new trial in an action of replevin, for .a female slave, in which there was a verdict for the defendant for 425 dollars damages.
P. S. Key, for plaintiff.
The jury have given the value of the slave in damages; and as there will be judgment for a return of the property the defendant will get twice the value of the slave.
Mr. Jones, contriL,
said he had contended for vindictive damages; and the question is whether these damages are enormous.

Opinion:
. THE COURT
said it was evident that the jury had given their verdict under a mistake. having given the value of the negro as well as damages; and that as the defendant would have judgment for a return of the property, and a remedy upon the replevin-bond if it should not be returned, they would grant a new trial, unless the parties would agree upon a compromise. The defendant refused, and a new trial was granted upon payment of all the costs.
FITZHUGH, Circuit Judge, absent.