Case ID: abbn-cas_2/html/0352-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "By the Court.—Mo Cue, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CORSAN v. OLIVER.
    
      City Court of Brooklyn; General Term,
    
      December, 1875.
    Conversion of Personal Property.
    An action brought by an assignee of goods, for their conversion, is not defeated by the fact that defendant parted with possession before the plaintiff became assignee, and before he made demand on defendant.
    Appeal by defendant from a judgment rendered on a verdict in favor of the plaintiff.
    This action was brought by William C. Corsan, the plaintiff, against Richard Oliver, the defendant, to recover damages for the conversion of personal property. On December 31, 1868, Robert B. Hughes had possession of a store, No. 16 Fulton avenue, Brooklyn, under a lease from defendant, to expire May 1, 1871, rent payable monthly, in advance.
    
      The tenant, after the lease, placed fixtures in the store. On the said December 31, 1868, the sheriff seized his goods, under attachment; took possession, and remained in possession until January 7 or 8, 1869, when he removed the goods, and the store was left vacant, except the fixtures, and so remained, until re-let by the defendant. By a provision in the lease the landlord was authorized to re-let the premises on account of the tenant, if they became vacant, or were deserted, during the term. Bent became due January I, 1869, and was not paid ; and on February 1, 1869, the store was rented by defendant’s agent to one Fleming, under the authority in the lease ; and Fleming took possession of the store, with the fixtures. After that, defendant had no control over the fixtures. On March II, 1869, while the fixtures were in possession of Fleming, Hughes sold the fixtures to the plaintiff. After this, and during .the same month, the property was demanded of defendant.
    When applied to for a delivery of the fixtures, the defendant placed his refusal upon the ground “ that the tenant had left the store, and that there were arrears of rent for which he claimed, and consequently, could not give up the fixtures.”
    To the plaintiff’s attorney, when he made a demand, the defendant said, “he would consider the matter— he had the fixtures ; ” but afterwards, when the attorney called for a final answer, the defendant replied :• “that he could not deliver up the fixtures—that he-had rented them with the premises; he was so advised.”
    
      Daniel T. Walden (Sterling & Walden, attorneys),, for appellant,
    Cited, on question of defendant’s right to let the fixtures: Breese v. Bange, 2 E. D. Smith,. 474-487, 488, and cases cited; Voorhees v. McGinnis, 48 N. Y. 278; D’Eyncourt n. Gregory, L. R., 3 Eq. 
      382, 394, 396; Cullwick v. Swindell, Id. 248, 253, 255; Loughran v. Ross, 45 N. Y. 792; Miller v. Plumb, 6 Cow. 665; Tabor v. Robinson, 36 Barb. 483 ; Taylor L. and T. §§ 551, 533 ; Fawcett L. and T. 297; Pugh v. Arton, 38 L. J. Ch. 619 ; L. R. 8 Eq. 626 ; Stansfeld v. Mayor of Portsmouth, 4 C. B. (N. S.) 120 ; Leader v. Homewood, 5 C. B. (N. S.) 546; Amos and Ferard on Fixtures, 87. Of defendant’s not having possession of fixtures : Peck v. Knox, 1 Sweeney, 311, 316 ; Thimblethorp casé, cited 2 Bulst. 310, and 7 Johns. 257. Of renting of fixtures before sale to plaintiff, and consequently no conversion by defendant: Bowman r>. Eaton, 24 Barb. 528 ; Whittaker v. Merrill, 30 Id: 389 ; Tabor v. Robinson, supra; McKee v. Judd, 12 N. Y. 622; Duell v. Cudlipp, 1 Hilt. 166,168 ; Taylor L. and T. § 174; Shannon v. Burr, 1 Hilt. 39. Of a demand and refusal being only evidence of a conversion where it is proved the defendant has the custody of the property, or the ability to comply with the demand, besides those cited above: Whitney v. Slauson, 30 Barb. 278; Hill v. Covell, 1 N. Y. 522; Andrews v. Shattuck, 32 Barb. 396; Hunt v. Kane, 40 Id. 638; Edwards v. Hooper, 11 Mees. & W. 363; ' 2 Hillard on Torts, 117, § 13 (3rd Ed.); Hawkins v. Hoffman, 6 Hill, 586; Smith v. Young, 1 Camp. 439; Addison on Torts, (3rd Ed.) 313, 314; Fillmore v. Horton, 31 How. Pr. 424; Gillet v. Roberts, 57 N. Y. 32; Fernald v. Chase, 37 Me. 291; Esmay v. Fanning, 9 Barb. 176, 189, 190 ; Kelsey v. Griswold, 6 Barb. 443 ; Salt Springs Nat. Bank v. Wheeler, 48 N. Y. 492. Of the chattels being trade fixtures and consequently belonging to the land, and therefore trover’s not lying: Minshall v. Lloyd, 2 Mees. & W. 450; Longstaff v. Meagoe, 2 Ad. & Ellis, 167; Roffey v. Henderson, 17 Q. B. 574, 586; Roberts v. Dauphin Bank, 19 Penn. 71; 3 Stephens N. P. 2671; Mackintosh v. Trotter, 3 Mees. & W. 184; Dalton v. 
      Whittem, 3 Q. B. 961; Dumergue v. Rumsey, 2 H. & C. 790; 4 Alb. L. J. 257.
    
      W. L. Headley (Headley & Parsons, attorneys),—
    Cited, on question that there being a demand, and a refusal by defendant because he had a Hen on the fixtures for arrears of rent, therefore there was a conversion : Chambers v. Lewis, 28 N. Y. 454; Potter v. Merchant’s Bank, Id. 641; Boyce v. Brockway, 31 Id. 490; Latimer v. Wheeler, 3 Abb. Ct. App. Dec. 35; Livermore v. Northrup, 44 N. Y. 107; Sherman v. Way, 56 Barb. 188; Carroll v. Mix, 51 Barb. 212; Boberts v. Berdell, 52 N. Y. 644; Hicks v. Cleveland, 48 N. Y. 84; Maynard v. Anderson, 54 N. Y. 641; Saltus v. Everett, 20 Wend. 268. Of immateriality of defendant’s possession or control: Ross v. Cassidy, 27 How. Pr. 416, 421; Brockway v. Burnap, 16 Barb. 313, 314; Nichols v. Michael, 23 N. Y. 268-271; Knapp v. Smith, 27 N. Y. 277; McBride v. Farmer’s Bank, 26 N. Y. 456, 457.
   By the Court.—Mo Cue, J.

[After stating facts and disposing of objections to charge.]—It is insisted, however, that the defendant rented the fixtures before the sale of the fixtures to the plaintiff. That the conversion took place at the time of the renting, and was a conversion as to the former owner, but not as to the plaintiff, who does not claim as assignee of the right of action for the conversion, but as owner, so that in order to recover in this action, it was necessary to prove a conversion as to the plaintiff after he became owner, and that, without proof that the defendant was able to comply with the demand when made, conversion has not been established.

The lease executed by the defendant to Mr. Fleming, after the original tenant ceased to occupy the store, did not include the fixtures in terms. Fleming says he objected to taking the lease when it was handed to him, because the fixtures were not so included, but was assured by the defendant’s agent that it was all right.

There is room to doubt that the defendant really intended to place the fixtures beyond his control, if at any time it became his interest to re-assert that control; although it was undoubtedly understood by the tenant that he was to have the use of the fixtures, with the premises, without any enhanced rent therefor.

Assuming, however, that the defendant was out of possession, we do not think that this fact forms a bar to this action.

It is well settled that an action will lie in favor of the true owner, against a person who has parted with, and at the commencement of the suit, is not in fact, or in law, in possession of the property. Ross v. Cassidy, 27 How. Pr. 420; Nichols v. Michael, 23 N. Y. 264; Latimer v. Wheeler, 3 Abb. Ct. App. Dec. 35.

This is upon the theory that the act of parting with the possession, without the consent of the true owner, is unlawful.

So held in a case of replevin in the detinue. ' There is no reason why the same rule should not apply equally in an action of trover. The end sought to be reached is practically the same, viz.: recovery of the value of the property unjustly detained or converted; and when it appears that the defendant has unlawfully parted with the property sought to be recovered, he is, to all intents and purposes, to be regarded as still in possession, sufficiently so to render him liable either in replevin or trover.

“Any unlawful interference with the property of another, or exercise of dominion over it, by which the owner is damnified, is sufficient to maintain either” trespass or trover (Allen v. Crary, 10 Wend. 349). And evidence of an actual forcible dispossession of the plaintiff is not necessary; and trespass or replevin will lie against a sheriff for a levy upon goods not the property of the defendant in the execution.

The complaint in this action does not, it is true, claim a delivery of the property, but the Code has abolished the distinction heretofore prevailing as to the forms of actions, and there is now but one form of action for the redress of private wrongs.

The views above expressed cover the exceptions taken by defendant’s counsel, and it is not necessary therefore to discuss them in detail.

The judgment and order appealed from should be affirmed with costs.

Neilson, Ch. J., concurred.