Bowen v. Huntington

An escape of a prisoner from the liberties of the prison, with the consent of the gaoler, after having taken the poor debtor’s oath, is a toluntary escape, for which the sheriff is liable. Jn an action against the sheriff, for the escape of a prisoner committed on execution, the rule of damages is the amount of the execution and costs, with interest from the time of the escape. To entitle himself to the benefit of this rule of damages, the plaintiff need not count on the statute, but may declare in case.

THIS was an action on the case, against the defendant, as sheriff of the county of New-London, for the escape of Payton R. Randall, an imprisoned debtor, committed on an execution in favour of the plaintiffs. The declaration áverred, that “ the defendant, being the sheriff of said county, and by law ‘charged with the safe-keeping of said Randall, without the leave or licence, and against the will, of the plaintiffs, suffered and permitted said Randall, freely and voluntarily to escape, and go at large, out of the custody of the defendant, and without the limits and precincts of said prison.” Randall was committed to prison, on the 3d of May, 1817. Four days afterwards, he was admitted to the poor prisoner’s oath, and to the liberties of the prison, on giving bonds. On the 26th of May, he, with the knowledge, consent, and direction of the keeper of the prison, departed from the liberties, and was at large. The defendant offered evidence, to prove that Randall was a total bankrupt ; claiming, that if he was liable at all for the escape, he was liable only for süch damages as the plaintiffs had actually sustained in consequence of it, and not, as they claimed, for the whole amount of the execution. The defendant further claimed, that from the facts in this case, the escape was to be deemed a negligent, and not a voluntary one. The judge rejected the evidence offered ; and charged the jury, that the escape was a voluntary one ; and that the rule of damages was the amount of the execution and costs, and interest from the time of the escape. The jury having found a verdict accordingly, the defendant moved for a new trial, on the ground that the rejected evidence ought to have been received, and that the charge was incorrect. contended, 1* That this was a negligent, and not a voluntary escape. In hrst place, the law having admitted the debtor to the liberties of the prison, no consent of the gaoler to the escape, can be implied. Secondly, the conduct of the gaoler was not the act of the sheriff, so as to make it a voluntary escape in the latter. 2. That this being an action on the case at common law, the damages may be less than the debt, according to the circumstances of the debtor. 2 Swift’s Syst. 112. In England, the creditor has his election to bring an action like this, or an action of debt, given by statute. In the former case, the jury may give such damages as they think proper; in the latter, the rule of damages is the sum for which the prisoner was charged in execution. 2 Term Rep. 129. In actions in this state, against the county, for an escape, it has been repeatedly held, that the recovery is to be restricted to the damages actually sustained. Staphorse v. County of New-Haven, 1 Root 126. Williams v. County of Rew-Haven, 2 Root 23. Damages beyond those actually sustained, are in the nature of a penalty ; but the common law inflicts no penalty in this case. If the statute has given a penalty, the party entitled to it, must sue Upon the statute, or he cannot recover it. At any rate, the common law has given one remedy, and the statute another. If you proceed at common law, you must take such redress as the common law metes to you. If you wish for statute measure, you must proceed upon the statute to get it. 3. That if the amount of the execution and costs was recoverable, interest could not be superadded. If the plaintiffs take to the statute, let them abide by it: the statute gives no interest. The pound of flesh, and a little blood with it, is more than the statute allows. insisted, 1. That as Randall escaped not only from the walls, but from the liberties, of the prison, with the consent and direction of the gaoler, it was a voluntary escape, for which the defendant is responsible. 2. That in cases of commitment on final process, the debt for which the prisoner was committed, is, by statute, (a) expressly made the rule of damages. The word “ damage,” ,. , , , m the statute, applies solely to escapes upon mesne process. 3. That in order for the plaintiffs to entitle themselves to a recovery, for the amount of the execution and costs, it was not necessary to sue upon the statute. The defendant was liable at common law. The statute does not create the cause, nor prescribe the form of action. It affirms the common law as to the liability ; and determines the extent of that liability. In England, a new form of action is given by statute ; but in pursuing it, the plaintiff never declares upon, nor refers to, the statute. 4. That the defendant having become liable, by the escape, for the execution debt, a liquidated sum, interest followed .of course.