Grimes v. Gates
Supreme Court of Vermont
Case. The. declaration contained five counts. The first count alleged that the defendants, with intent to injure, frighten, and terrify the plaintiff, without anjr reasonable or probable cause whatever, “did wrongfully and maliciously write, compose, and send to the plaintiff, a letter containing wicked, scandalous, and threatening matter, therein using wicked and scandalizing language concerning the plaintiff, and did therein use threatening language to the plaintiff, and…
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Case. The. declaration contained five counts. The first count alleged that the defendants, with intent to injure, frighten, and terrify the plaintiff, without anjr reasonable or probable cause whatever, “did wrongfully and maliciously write, compose, and send to the plaintiff, a letter containing wicked, scandalous, and threatening matter, therein using wicked and scandalizing language concerning the plaintiff, and did therein use threatening language to the plaintiff, and did threaten her with great injury”; and averred that the plaintiff received said letter, and that by means of the…
1Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
Wheeler, J.
Threats of bodily hurt which occasion such interruption or inconvenience as is a pecuniary damage, are actionable. Not the threats alone, but the threats and consequent damage together. 3 Bl. Com. 120; 2 Com. Dig. Battery, D.; Jacob Law Dic. Tit. Threats; Bouv. Law Dic. Tit. Menace; 1 Swift Dig. 477. The extortion of money or property by means of such threats, is, at common law, indictable. The Queen v. Woodward, 11 Mod. 137; 6 East. 133, note; 3 Chit Crim. Law, 607. The threats make the cause of action, by producing fear which causes damage…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- Taft v. TaftSupreme Court of Vermont · 1867
- Howe v. HowardSupreme Court of Vermont · 1909
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- Meek v. HarrisMississippi Supreme Court · 1916