United States v. Hambleton Et Ux

This is an appeal from a judgment rendered against the United States in an action brought under the Tort Claims Act, 60 Stat. 842 -847, now Title 28 U.S.C.A. §§ 1346 (b) and 2680.

One Anderson, a sergeant, assigned to the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, interviewed the plaintiff, Harriet Elizabeth Hambleton, in the course of an investigation he was making in the line of his duties. The court found, with respect to Anderson’s conduct on that occasion: “On or about January 20, 1948, said William Anderson called at the home of plaintiffs at 8312-35th Avenue S. W., Seattle, Washington, while plaintiff O. E. Hambleton was absent therefrom and contacted plaintiff Harriet Elizabeth Hambleton in tlie course of an official investigation. Said William Anderson interrogated plaintiff Harriet Elizabeth Hambleton for a period of approximately three and one-half hours and in doing so failed to- use reasonably prudent methods and due care in conducting said interrogation. He grilled her excessively and for an unreasonable length of time, subjecting her to repetitive questions and statements on delicately personal subjects not directly connected with the investigation he was conducting…