Ashley v. Hill

SAMFORD, J.

The first count of the complaint was in detinue, and claimed certain personal property based upon a mortgage note reserving title to the property sued for until the entire purchase money was paid, and the second count declared on the promise to pay as set out in the note. This is authorized under section 9467 of the Code of 1923, providing for the joining of actions ex delicto and ex contractu in the same suit, where the causes of action arise out of the same transaction or relate to the same subject-matter. In such cases the issue may be determined separately by the jury, and the coprt shall thereupon render a proper judgment.

In this case the defendant, acting under authority of section 7400 of the Code of 1923, for answer to the first count oí the complaint suggested that the count was on a conditional sale, and upon such suggestion the jury was required to ascertain the amount due. The verdict of the jury found for the-plaintiff for the property sued for, assessed its value at $75, and ascertained the amount due on the mortgage at $98.50. The jury also-found for the plaintiff on the second- count, and assessed damages under this count at $118.50. It thereupon became the duty of' the court to render the “proper judgment,” which it attempted to do by giving judgment, for the property sued for under the verdict responding to the first count, and ignoring that part of the verdict ascertaining the amount due on the mortgage. Further proceeding with the judgment, the court rendered judgment for plaintiff on the verdict responding to the second count, in the sum of $118.50. When the defendant suggested the ascertainment of the amount due on the note, count 1 of the complaint thereby was changed from a simple suit for the possession of chattels in specie, to a proceeding under section 7400 of the Code Of 1923, based upon the mortgage note, which also was the basis of the claim under count 2. Whatever was due on the • mortgage note was as legally ascertained under the suggestion under count 1 as it could be under count 2, even if the suit had been brought on the debt as secured by the note. The same claim was made, and the same evidence adduced, as to both counts. Therefore a verdict ascertaining the amount due on the note under count 1 should have been the same amount for which damages were found under count 2. The verdict is self-contradictory.

If the instrument evidencing the title to chattels provides for the payment of attorney’s fees, under certain conditions named therein, and the facts show that those conditions existed at the time of bringing suit, such attorney’s fees became a part of the amount due on the note, and, on the suggestion provided for under section 7400 of the Code of 1923, may be proven as a part of the amount due.

The claim under both counts of the complaint arose out of the same transaction or related to the same subject-matter; the counts therefore were properly joined under section 9467 of the Code of 1923; the issues as to each count should be determined separately by the jury. Where this is done, the court must enter a proper judgment protecting both parties.

Under the first count, if the debt due and ascertained had been less than the value of the property sued for as assessed by the jury, then the judgment on that count should have been for the property sued for, or if that was not to be had, then for the amount of the debt as ascertained by the jury. The judgment in such a case would also provide that a payment of the amount assessed together with the costs would satisfy the judgment. Code 1923, § 7400. But such is not the case here. The amount of the debt as assessed by the jury was greater than tHe value of the property sued for as fixed by the jury; hence, in rendering judgment on the verdict responding to the first count, the court could go no further than render judgment for the property and adjudge its value. Proceeding-on the verdict responding to the second count, the court rendered judgment for $118.50 damages assessed by the jury, together with costs, and ordered execution to issue. Upon these judgments as they now stand on the record, 'plaintiff might have a writ of distringas for the property sued for and an execution for $118.50, the one not being dependent upon the other; whereas the court, under section 9467 of the Code of 1923 should have rendered such judgment as would have protected the parties. If, after judgment, the plaintiff repossessed the property, he would be bound by the value fixed by the jury, and the judgment under, the second count would be reduced by that amount. This at his election. If, on the other hand, the judgment for $118.-50 together with all costs, is paid, either by the defendant voluntarily or by reason of execution issued, then the debt is paid, and the property must become that of defendant.

It is true that there is a conflict between the amount assessed by the jury under the first and second counts, in that the amount of the debt ascertained under the first count is $98, while the damages assessed under the second count is fixed at $118.50. This, however, cannot be ground for reversal, because, when the jury arrived at the conclusion that the amount of the debt was greater than the value of the property sued for, the court could not proceed to a judgment under that count for the alternate value of the property, bu-t ex necessitate, must render judgment for the property only, and the verdict under the second count became the basis for the judgment for damages and cost of suit and execution.

The question asked plaintiff on cross-examination, as to why he was holding the note, referred to other parties and not to defendant. The question was irrelevant and immaterial.

Charge 1, refused to defendant, was, to say the least, misleading. One of the issues in the case was the indebtedness of defendant to plaintiff.

Charges 2 and 3, refused to defendant, were affirmative charges, and, as the evidence was in conflict, were properly refused.

' In conformity to the foregoing, the judgment in favor of plaintiff is corrected and affirmed.

Let the clerk of this court enter judgment in accordance with this opinion.

Corrected and affirmed.