LaPlace v. Briere
Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division
962 A.2d 1139 (2009)
LaPlace (plaintiff) boarded his horse at Briere's (defendant) stable; while Briere was away, co-defendant Bridgwood exercised LaPlace's horse for about five minutes before it died suddenly, and LaPlace refused to consent to a necropsy until two days later, after the remains had been removed. LaPlace sued for conversion, arguing Briere, as bailee, bore the burden of proving the horse didn't die from negligence, and the trial court granted summary judgment against him.
Whether conversion requires knowing or intentional unauthorized assertion of control over another's personal property in a way that alters it or excludes the owner's rights, and whether a bailment arises if someone entrusts something to another's sole possession and care.