Bright Shoe Stores Co. v. Scully

WILLIAMS, J.

Arthur J. Scully, manager of one of the stores of the John Bright Shoe Stores Co. was arrested on an affidavit sworn to by one W. C. Blanton, said affidavit charging him with embezzlement of funds from the Shoe Go. in Scully was discharged by the Grand Jury and then brought this action in malicious prosecution against the Company.

He was awarded damages in the Lucas Common Pleas, and the company prosecuted error alleging that the court erred in permitting Blanton to testify that he acted as agent of the Company. Further errors were alleged in the Charge to the jury. The Court of Appeals held:

1. Although declarations of an agent are not good in evidence to prove agency, if the agency has been proven by other means, the declarations may be admitted to show that he acted as agent and not in his individual capacity.

2. The trial court in its charge on probable cause erred in asserting that the true inquiry for the jury is not whether the accused was in fact innocent or guilty, but what the defendant believed in reference to such innocence or guilt.

3. The trial court erred in explaining that by preponderance of the evidence was meant greater weight of the testimony. A charge of this nature totally ignores all exhibits that are offered in evidence.

4. The words “testimony” and “evidence” are not synonymous.

Judgment reversed and cause remanded.