Gunnell v. Green ( 1873 )

Opinion by

Judge Pryor:

There was no proceeding in court to amend the original petition, with a judgment and sale under it, as well as a confirmation of the sale, having been filed away' with leave to re-docket, etc. The' power of the court over the judgment no longer existed; and the only means of annulling or modifying it after the expiration of the term at which it was rendered, was by an appeal to this court or by an original petition in the nature of a bill- of review. The court might have ordered the execution of the deed, as there was no' one interested in it but the purchaser. The defendants, in the original petition had not consented that the sale should be set aside; nor did their failure to answer the amendment constitute this consent. If the original petition was still in court without judgment, the amended petition might cure the defects therein, if any exists; but such an amendment will not be presented to make the original petition good, after judgment has been rendered upon it. If so, the court below is allowed to exercise a power that, belongs exclusively to this court.

Prewitt, for appellant. Darndby, for appellees.

The original defendants have the right to appeal; but if this amended pleading is sustained, this right must, in effect, be denied them, as the amendment cures the defect. They are necessary parties to any proceedings against Price and Green, as these last named parties purchased from- them. It may be insisted that the original proceedings cannot affect the rights of Price and Green; and whilst this may be practically so, they have the right to look to the original cause of action to see how it is, and from what source the appellant derives his right to amend. This original cause of action being finally disposed of, and the power of the court over it no longer existing, where both parties are to be affected by it, the appellant must institute an original proceeding in order to obtain the possession or enforce his rights against the vendee of Williamson • & Shirley.

We would hesitate to' tolerate a practice, even if not strictly error, that would present such an anomaly in judicial proceedings. The demurrer was properly sustained, as it appeared on the face of the amended pleading that no' relief could be given in the proceeding adopted by the appellant.

Judgment affirmed.