Case ID: ky-op_6/html/0314-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Judge Lindsay:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

William East v. Eliz. Canady, etc.
    Witnesses — Inconsistent Statements.
    Where a witness’ statements are not consistent, but he is not impeached, or directly contradicted, his evidence can not properly be disregarded.
    APPEAL PROM WAYN'E 'CIRCUIT COURT.
    January 14, 1873.
    
      Van Winkle, for appellant.
    
    
      James, for appellees.
    
   Opinion by

Judge Lindsay:

Martin Silvees was a competent witness in favor of the widow and children of John Silvees, deceased. He had no interest with them in their defense, but was rather interested in compelling them to pay his debt, and as the proceeding against him was upon a return of nulla boncn he was liable for costs, whether it resulted in the discovery and subjection of any of his estate to the payment of his debt or not.

His statements are not altogether consistent, but as he is neither impeached nor1 directly contradicted, his evidence could hardly have been properly disregarded.

Even if it be true that he voluntarily and without consideration remitted to appellees two hundred dollars of the purchase price originally agreed to be paid for the land, we do> not well see how appellant can complain on that account.

By the sale of what he claimed to- be Martin Stevens’ equity of redemption in a tract of land, he, by his own bid, satisfied his execution in full. This was done on the 3d day of January, 1865.

The deed to these appellees was made fifteen days afterwards, when appellant had no apparent claim against Martin Silvees. Having elected to take Martin Silvees’ title to' this land, in satisfaction of his debt, these appellees had the legal right to make any arrangement with the latter they could to perfect this title, and it can scarcely be inferred that by releasing a portion of the purchase money, as matters then stood, the parties intended to practice fraud on appellant. His petition.as to appellees was properly dismissed.