Brooke v. Peyton

4 F. Cas. 231, 1 Cranch 96

• Court: U.S. Circuit Court for the District of District of Columbia
• Decided: November 15, 1802
• Status: Published

Opinion

Evidence — Pkoof or Handwriting.

Comparison of handwriting is evidence to prove the publication of a libel.

[NOTE. Por denial of defendant’s motion for a new trial, see Case No. 1,934. The general rule of the common law does not allow the comparison of handwriting by courts and juries. Turner v. Foxall, Case No. 14,265; Strother v. Lucas, 6 Pet. (31 U. S.) 763; Martin v. Taylor, Case No. 9,166; Macubbin v. Lovell, Id. 8,928. Comparison is inadmissible to prove a crime (U. S. v. Craig, Id. 14,883; U. S. v. Prout, Id. 16,094; U. S. v. Jones, 10 Fed. 469), notwithstanding that by the state statute such comparison is allowable (U. S. v. Jones, supra). But see U. S. v. Larned, Case No. 15,565; U. S. v. Wright, Id. 16,773; U. S. v. Chamberlain, Id. 14,778. There is an exception to this rule, however, and the comparison may be restricted to establish writing already in evidence, and not introduced for the mere purpose of comparison. Medway’s Case, 6 Ct Cl. 421, and case cited; Moore v. U. S. 91 U. S. 270; U. S. v. Chamberlain, supra.]

Mr. Jones, for defendant, prayed the court to instruct the jury that evidence by comparison of hands, is not sufficient to prove the publication.

The court unanimously refused to give the instruction.

Bill of exceptions taken. Verdict for the plaintiff $525 damages.

But the defendant did not prosecute a writ of error.