State v. . Mabrey

64 N.C. 592

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: June 5, 1870
• Status: Published

Opinion

Beade, J.

The facts present a case of savage and dangerous outrage, not to be tolerated in a country of laws and. Christianity. We rigidly adhere to the doctrine, in State v. Rhodes, Phil. 453, and precedent cases in our reports, that the Courts will not invade the domestic forum, to take cognizance of trifling cases of violence in family government; but there is no relation which can shield a party who is guilty of malicious outrage or dangerous violence committed or threatened. In State v. Rhodes, the jury had been charged that ££ the husband had the right to whip his wife with a switch no larger than his thumb.” In combatting that error, the Court said: £‘ A light blow, or many light blows with a stick larger than the thumb, might produce no injury; but a switch half the size might be so used as to produce death. The standard is the effect produced, and not the manner of producing it, or the instrument used.” Those words were used as applicable to the facts in that case. But on the argument at the bar in this case, they were perverted to mean that in any case, no matter what weapon was used or from what motive or intent, unless permanent injury were inflicted, the Court would not interfere therefore, here, although death was threatened and a deadly knife used, yet as it was averted by a bystander, the Court will not interfere. We repudiate any such construction of the State v. Rhodes.

Upon the special verdict there ought to have been judgment against the defendant.

Let this be certified, &c. There is error.

Per Curiam. Error.