Court Opinion

ID: 6952465
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 01:33:45.006316+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:08:07.717891
License: Public Domain

Mr. Chife Justice Walker delivered the opinion of the Court: In actions for slander, the plaintiff must prove the language laid in the declaration, or so much, at least, as fully proves the charge. Equivalent words in meaning will not be sufficient. It is true, that all of the words in the sentence need not be proven, if those which are proved fully establish the slander. If, however, other words not laid are proved, which limit or change the meaning of those counted on, the action will not be sustained. If all the words laid are necessary to constitute the slander, then they must be proved as laid. Sandford v. Geddis, 15 Ill. 228; Patterson v. Edwards, 2 Gilm. 720; Williams v. Odell, 29 Ill. 156. The words relied upon as having been proved, are contained in the second count, and are these: “ ’Gusta Young was in the family way, and Rink and his wife took her to a Chicago doctor to have the child worked off.” “ ’Gusta Young is in the family way, and Rink and his wife took her to a Chicago doctor to have the child worked off.” Mrs. Snyder testifies that Mrs. Baker stated that, “ Augusta Young was in , the family way by Tom Beal.” Win. Snyder testified that she stated, “’Gusta Young is in a family way;” “’Gusta Young is in a family way with Tom Beal; ” Rink and his wife had taken her to Chicago to have it worked off, or, “ to have the child worked off; ” can’t tell which. He again states the latter words both ways. It is urged that there is a variance between the words laid and the words proved, because more are proved than laid. The declaration proceeds for an injury in charging appellee with fornication, and under the authorities above referred to, if enough of the words were proved to establish the slander, then appellee was entitled to recover. Snyder swears to one set of the words- as laid. He also swears to another, with additional words, but which in no sense alter or change the slander. They only point out more specifically the manner of the offense charged. They only specify the person with whom it was charged that appellee had committed fornication, and that an effort had been made to produce an abortion. This is equally true of Mrs. Snyder’s testimony. These additional words did not alter the charge, that appellee, who was an unmarried woman, was pregnant, and which implied that she had been guilty of fornication, as charged in the declaration. We are therefore of the opinion that the jury were warranted in finding that there was no variance, and that the slander was proved. It is urged, however, that the fifth of appellee’s instructions was erroneous, being calculated to mislead the jury. It informed them, that if they believed from the evidence that a sufficient number of words laid in the declaration, to amount, in their common acceptation, to a charge of fornication against appellee, had been proved to have been spoken by Caroline Baker, they should find for appellee. We have seen that such is the law. But it is insisted that it informed the jury it did not matter how the words were connected, whether uttered in the same sentence, connection, conversation, or otherwise. This is not the natural import of the language of this instruction, nor do we suppose the jury so understood it, when w© can see that connected clauses of sentences proved would, in their natural construction, clearly imply the charge. ■ Had it been otherwise, then the instruction might' have been liable to the criticism placed upon it by appellants. Hor do we see that the instruction assumes, that a sufficient number of words had been proved to establish the slander. The jury are told, that if they believe that such words had been proved, they would find for appellee. It is insisted that the seventh of appellee’s instructions was erroneous. It informs the jury, that in actions for slander, the law implies damages from the speaking of actionable words, and also that the defendant intended the injury the slander is calculated to effect; and the jury, in case they find a verdict of guilty, are to determine from all the circumstances in the case, what damages ought to be given, and are not confined to mere pecuniary loss or injury. We do not think that this instruction can be reasonably understood to assume the guilt of appellee, or the circumstances in the case, as insisted by appellants. It simply lays down a rule of law applicable to cases of slander, and leaves the jury to apply it to the case under consideration. The natural import of the language is, not that the defendant named in the instruction is the defendant in this case, or that the circumstances were those in this case, but that the instruction refers to any defendant, or the circumstances in any case of slander. We are, therefore, of the opinion that it announces a correct principle of law, applicable to this case, and did not mislead the jury. It is objected, that the verdict is insufficient to sustain the judgment. It is urged that the plaintiff, Ludwig Baker, did not become particeps crimmis, and should not be found guilty without having been accused, and having an opportunity of defending himself. The words in this case were spoken by the wife alone, and the question sought to be raised is, whether a judgment can be recovered against him for slander uttered by the wife. The rule is laid down by Ohitty, that for torts committed by the wife, during marriage, as for slander, assault, etc., or for any forfeiture under a penal statute, they must be jointly sued; but that they cannot be jointly sued for slander by both. 1 Chitty PI. 92. From this rule, and it seems to be fully supported by authority, if the jury found in this case that the wife spoke the words, they were compelled under the issue and the law to find a verdict against both defendants, they being husband and wife. Nor do we see that the verdict is defective, because it fails to state that they found appellants guilty in manner and form as alleged in the declaration. This would, no doubt, have been strictly formal, but such was the obvious meaning of their finding. It was, we think, clearly responsive to the issue. As to the question of the credibility of witnesses, that was for the determination of the jury. In the conflict of evidence, whether real or only apparent, it was for them to give weight to such portions as they found to be worthy of belief. In this case we see no reason for disturbing the verdict, because it is not sustained by the evidence. Nor can we say that the damages found were excessive. That was a question for the finding of the jury, and will not be disturbed, unless the damages are palpably excessive, or there was manifest prejudice, or other misconduct of the jury. We are, after a careful examination of this entire record, unable "to perceive any error for which the judgment of the court below should be reversed, and it must therefore be affirmed. Judgment affirmed.