Jean Denou seeks monetary retribution for the arrest of his slave. Denou represents that his slave named Jessee "made certain declarations implicating the guilt" of two slaves belonging to Richard McCall in an 1859 assault. The two slaves were accused of "assault and battery, with intent to kill, on the person of Gedeon Landry." On 10 July 1859, McCall's overseer, Louis Coponey, signed an affidavit "stating that he really believed said negro Jessee was the person who committed said assault," whereby the slave was arrested and confined in the parish jail for sixty-nine days. During a trial held on 17 September 1859, it was discovered that Coponey's accusations were unfounded, thus leading to Jessee's release from jail. Denou charges that Coponey intended to prevent Jessee from testifying against the other two slaves, causing him to incur "special and indicative damages" amounting to $853.50. Denou prays that Coponey be condemned to pay him the $853.50 plus interest and costs of the suit.
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Repository: Ascension Parish Courthouse, Donaldsonville, Louisiana
