Case Details

French v. Creath

Case # Not Listed

Appellant/Plaintiff

Joseph French

Appellee/Defendant

John R. Creath by George Creath next friend

Appellant/Plaintiff Attorneys

Henry Starr

Appellee/Defendant Attorneys

Elias Kent Kane

County of Origin

Washington County

Justice

Terms of Court

December 1820

Type of Case

Slander

Disposition

Affirmed

Citation

1 Ill 31

Case Summary

John Creath, a minor represented by his father, sued French for slander in the Randolph County Circuit Court. The court ruled in favor of Creath, rejecting French's motion for a new trial and judgment arrest. French appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, arguing lack of appointment of Creath's next friend and that the slander law referred to had been repealed. The Supreme Court affirmed the verdict, stating it was too late to raise the first objection and clarified that repealed statutes don't invalidate slander charges.