Nelson v. Robe

This was an action of slander for charging the plaintiff below, “in the presence and hearing of sundry persons, ” with larceny. The defendant pleaded the general issue, and several special pleas; to the latter the plaintiff replied de injuria, &c., upon which there were issues. One of the special pleas is, that the defendant spoke the words, *laid in the declaration, in giving téstimony as a witness in a certain State prosecution, before a justice of the peace, against the plaintiff for larceny Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff.

On the trial, the defendant offered evidence to prove what…