Yeates v. Reed

This was an action of slander brought by Reed and wife against Yeates and wife. The declaration alleges, that the wife of Yeates charged the wife of Reed with whoredom and adultery. Plea, not guilty, and verdict for the plaintiffs below. Motion for a new trial overruled, and judgment on the verdict..

On the trial below, the defendants asked the Court to instruct the jury,—1. That the plaintiffs were bound to prove that some of the words proved to have been spoken, were uttered previously to the commencement of the suit; 2. That if the jury believed from the evidence, that the plaintiffs had…