Case Name: Hasbrouck against Lown
Court: New York Supreme Court of Judicature
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1811-10
Citations: 8 Johns. 377
Docket Number: 
Parties: Hasbrouck against Lown.
Judges: 
Reporter: Johnson's Reports
Volume: 8
Pages: 377–378

Head Matter:
Hasbrouck against Lown.
In an action o? cfntliethpiointi?f acted as lhe gent and servant of G. on whose land the hoga were found; and witness, ^"after executing a release to him, to Prove t,iat ,tlie hogs were taken danmgefeaiantr and it was held that G. was a nessPei^rt WIt
THIS was an action of trespass for taking and impoundingthe plaintiff’s hogs. The cause was tried at XJlster circuit, in 1810, before Mr. Justice Tates.
The defendant, under a notice of justification, proved that he was the agent and servant of Peter M. Groen, on . , whose land the hogs were trespassing, at the time they T J It appeared that the hogs were sold at public auction by the were taken and impounded by the defendant. pound-keeper, after notice given to the plaintiff.
The defendant offered Peter M. Groen as a witness, ’ (after beinp- released by the defendant from all resnonsi- >... r ° . 1 „ . . 1 . bility lor costs or damages, &c.) m order to prove that the hogs were taken damage feasant on his land.
The plaintiff’s counsel objected to his admissibility; notwithstanding the release, and the witness was rejected by the judge. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff for 12 dollars.
A motion was made to set aside the verdict and for a new trial, which was submitted to the court, without argument.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The witness in this case was compe tent, and had he been admitted, his testimony might have made out a complete justification for the defendant. There must be a new trial, with costs to abide the event of the suit.
New trial granted.