Chapman v. Gillet
Supreme Court of Connecticut
THIS was an action of slander. In one of the counts, the words were charged as follows: “ That the defendant uttered and published, in the hearing of sundry citizens of this state, of and concerning the plaintiff, the following false, scandalous and defamatory words, viz. Deacon, Chapman (meaning the plaintiff) is guilty of the crime of perjury: he has taken a false oath, and lean prove it.
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THIS was an action of slander. In one of the counts, the words were charged as follows: “ That the defendant uttered and published, in the hearing of sundry citizens of this state, of and concerning the plaintiff, the following false, scandalous and defamatory words, viz. Deacon, Chapman (meaning the plaintiff) is guilty of the crime of perjury: he has taken a false oath, and lean prove it. And the defendant, further addressing himself io the persons present, continued, that at a church-meeting, in the -present month of June, charges were made and presented against one of the members of the…
1Opinion of the Court
Swiít, Ch. J.
The question in this case is, whether to charge a man with pci jury before an ecclesiastical tribunal, is actionable, without alleging special damages.
Christianity is a part of the law of the land. We have no establishment of any denomination of Christiansj but all have by law the power of supporting and conducting public worship in a manner conformable to their sentiments. From time immemorial, it has been the usage of churches, of every denomination, to have ecclesiastical tribunals, who are invested with certain powers for their government, arid the administration of…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- Shaffer v. KintzerSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1809
- Hopkins v. BeedleNew York Supreme Court · 1803
3Cited by18 opinions
- State v. GrantSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1978
- Blakeney v. Commissioner of CorrectionConnecticut Appellate Court · 1998
- State v. AssuntinoSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1980
- Ex parte BurkeCalifornia Supreme Court · 1881
- State v. VentolaSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1937
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