Cleaveland v. Mayo

| La. | Sep 15, 1841

Garland, J.

delivered the opinion of the court.

This suit is brought against the husband and wife, to recover damages in consequence of the plaintiff being shot at and severely wounded by one John Smith, jr., a minor, who fired the gun at the instance of, and under the express orders of the wife, the husbaijd being absent. The damages are laid at $5000.

The answers of Mayo and wife, after a general denial, state, that the former was frequently from home, being a captain of a steamboat; that the village in which they resided, was infested by many disorderly and riotous persons, who frequently loitered around their premises, breaking down the enclosures, and kept Mrs. Mayo in a slate of constant apprehension for the safety of herself, children ahd property. • They deny any malicious intent, and say, if the plaintiff has sustained any damage, he has been compensated by the many acts of charity and kindness of defendants towards him since the injury, of which he complains.

The evidence shows, that in July, 1839, between the hours of ten and eleveh o’clock at night* the plaintiff, who is an inoffensive old man, was discovered by Mrs. Mayo in the street* near her house, in a sitting posture on the banquette or sidewalk. The moon was shining, so that objects could bé plainly seen at a considerable distance; Mrs. Mayo awoke her brother* John Smith, jf., and directed him to get a gun that was loaded* and discharge it at plaintiff. He did so at ahd by her command, without saying any thing to plaintiff, of makirig any inquiry Of him, as to his purpose or business at that place, by Which he was severely wounded, and has entirely lost the sight of one eyé, and had the other injured; The plaintiff is a shoemaker, dependent on his labor for suppoit. He was confined for several weeks by the injuries he received, but during1 the whole time Was treated with much kindness by both defendants, who wefe anxious to take him to their house, that they might attend him. They expressed great regret for the occurrence, and Captain Mayo paid a considerable share, if riot all the expenses of plaintiff whilst confined.

The jury found a Verdict for $250 against Mrs. Mayo alone* Upon which the court rendered judgment; and from which she, With the consent of her husband, appealed.

In this court the plaintiff relies Upon articles 2294, 2304 and 2297 of the Code, to sustain his action, in which is embodied the doctrine, that every act, which causes damage to another* is to be repaired by the person, through whose fault it happened, whether that act be committed by himself or another.

The defendants contend, this action cannot be maintained:

1. Because the husband is not responsible for the acts Of his Wife during his absence from home; This doctrine we are not prepared to admit as correct, though it is not necessary to decide upon it now, as the judgment and veldict are only against the wife, without deciding upon the responsibility of the husband.

The father 01? 0 °fpera son i» tvhose toharge the minor is loft, aré the^Tnjury he JJther^'but this responsibility is based on th’é ground that the control oMbim vented*thePaet and ,dld not¡ and is responsible for ne- where a control’of TmE nor> cau,ses of to commit a crime, or an act causing damage another^such Pers?“ 13 ,resJ ponsible as har-“g committed tu6 OÍlCIlC^ hi** though ^ an ir* person has-been res-> ponsible for a trespass of in“ jury in different notbe^oinedln sa^itfl0^ lf llable 111 % same "way, all hmst he joined Uom & Jomtae

2. Because they sáy, if the plaintiff is entitled to recover any thing, he must sue the father of the minor, John Smith, jr., and he has his recourse against them, if the plaintiff should recover any thing. To sustain this position, they rely upott the fact, that young Smith was residing with his sister, by his j, , . íáther s Consent, and the application of articles 2296-2297, Which they say makes the father, and in the event Of his deaths the mother responsible for the a'cts of the minor. It may jros-sibly be true, that the father is responsible in this Case, for the . i.-. &cts ot his minor son, but it does not follow, that the defendant is not also responsible for the injuries, she has caused the minor to commit. When a minor, of his own volition Or aCeord, dbes an act that causes damage to another, the father or mother is ° responsible under the articles of the Code just cited, and the person in whose charge the minor is left, is responsible tó them. This responsibility is based upon the supposition, that the person having the control of the minor, should or could have prevented the act, and not having done so, is responsible C V , . , _ , . 1 , for negligence and imprudencei But the case is altogether different, when the person having the control, causes or commands the minor to commit a crime or an act, that causes ’ . damage to another. Then the party is responsible as having # \ . * committed the offence* although an irresponsible person has been employed. A different doctrine will open the way to the commission of serious offences and injuries, without adequate Responsibility attaching.

. 3. It is contended the action cannot he maintained, becaúsé the father of the minor, and the minor himself are not joined in it, as they are jointly responsible under the article 2304. In reply to this, we say, the minor cannot be made responsible . by a direct action, and if the father is responsible at all, there is no privity between him and Mrs. Mayo. He did not assist in or encourage the offence, whilst the other is a direct actof. rj^jg ¿jstjngUjgjjes this case from that of Laussade vs. Hartineau, 16 La. Rep.

The judgment of the District Court is therefore affirmed with costs.