Case Name: JAMES GILMORE, DEFENDANT IN ERROR, v. MARY KANE ET AL., PLAINTIFFS IN ERROR
Court: New Jersey Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1905-03-15
Citations: 72 N.J.L. 167
Docket Number: 
Parties: JAMES GILMORE, DEFENDANT IN ERROR, v. MARY KANE ET AL., PLAINTIFFS IN ERROR.
Judges: Before Gummere, Ciiiee Justice, and Justices Garrison and Garretson.
Reporter: New Jersey Law Reports
Volume: 72
Pages: 167–168

Head Matter:
JAMES GILMORE, DEFENDANT IN ERROR, v. MARY KANE ET AL., PLAINTIFFS IN ERROR.
Submitted December 1, 1901
Decided March 15, 1905.
A charge to the jury, in an action for malicious prosecution, that in case of a verdict for the plaintiff they should give him whatever they thought would be fair compensation, “and also whatever would reimburse him for any consequent expenses and losses,” is too broad, and there being no evidence as to such expenses and losses is reversible error.
On error to Circuit'Court.
Before Gummere, Ciiiee Justice, and Justices Garrison and Garretson.
For the plaintiffs in error, Elwood G. Harris.
For the defendant in error, George E. Glymer.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The judgment for plaintiff brought up by this writ of error must be reversed. The trial court, in charging the jury upon the question of damages, used the following language: "And the elements there to be taken into account are the fact that the plaintiff was in prison eight days, and whatever injury he may have suffered to his reputation, his feelings, your verdict ought to be for whatever you think would be a fair compensation, and also whatever would reimburse him for any consequent expenses and losses."
The bill of exceptions discloses, also, the following colloquy:
"[The jury retires.]
"Mr. Harris — I desire to except to what your honor said near the close of the charge as to directing the jury to determine what expenses the plaintiff might have been put to with reference to his defence, and so forth. There was no evidence of any amount.
"The Court — If there is not any evidence, they will not find anything, of course.
"Exception allowed. Let it be sealed, and it is sealed accordingly."
The feature of the charge to which the court's attention was directed by this exception was entirely too broad. There is no telling what the jury might not have included in its verdict under this instruction, or from what source it may not have supplied the evidence that was lacking.