Moore v. Watts et al.

Case # 18

Appellant/Plaintiff

Samuel Moore

Appellee/Defendant

James Watts, Seth Crocker, Mary Wells

Appellant/Plaintiff Attorneys

  • William Mears

Appellee/Defendant Attorneys

  • David Blackwell

County of Origin

St. Clair County

Justice

Justice Thomas Reynolds

Terms of Court

December 1822

Type of Case

Assault and Battery, False Imprisonment

Disposition

Reversed

Citation

1 Ill 42

Case Summary

Moore took some grain, and Watts, Crocker and Wells, as justice of the peace constables, assaulted Moore. Moore sued Watts, Crocker, and Wells for assault and battery and false imprisonment in the St. Clair County Circuit Court. The court agreed with Watts that their actions were justified and found in favor of Watts. Moore appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, which reversed the judgment and remanded the case for new proceedings because the jury instruction that justified Watts's actions was given improperly. 

Illinois Reports File