Vickers v. . Logan and Hampton

44 N.C. 393

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: August 5, 1853
• Status: Published

Opinion

Battle, J.

We may say here what this Court said in the case of Beale v. Roberson, 7 Ire. Rep. 280, that “ this case brings up again the question whether probable cause is matter of law so as to make it the duty of the Court to direct the jury, that if they find certain facts upon the evidence, or draw from them certain other inferences of fact, there is or is not probable cause ; thus leaving the questions of fact to the jury, and keeping their effect, in point of reason, for the decision of the Court, as a matter of law. Upon that question the opinion of all the Court is in the affirmative, and therefore this judgment must be reversed.”

Chief Justice Ruffin, who delivered the opinion of the Court in the case, then goes into an elaborate examination of the question, both upon principle and the authorities in England and in this State, and adds — “ It would seem, then, that making a question on this subject must be regarded as an attempt to move fixed things, and cannot be successful either in England or here.”

The case referred to is so apposite to this in every respect, that we cannot do better than to adopt the conclusion as well as the commenceinent of the opinion pronounced in it: — “As the case goes back to another trial, on which the facts may appear differently, we think it unnecessary to consider those that came out on a former trial in reference to the question of probable cause, further than to remark that few cases perhaps could better illustrate the danger of leaving.that question to the discretion of a jury, whose decision of it is not susceptible of review in another Court.”

Per Curiam. Judgment reversed, and venire de novo ordered.