Case ID: mich_112/html/0273-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Hooker, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

DOOLEY v. DOOLEY.
    Mortgages—Fraud—Evidence.
    A decree setting aside a mortgage on the property of a married woman for fraud alleged to have been perpetrated upon her by her husband and the mortgagee was reversed, the testimony upon which it was rendered being more consistent with the theory that the mortgagor and her husband were conspiring to, defraud the mortgagee out of his rights under the mortgage.
    Appeal from Kent; Grove, J.
    Submitted January 12, 1897.
    Decided April 6, 1897.
    Bill by Margaret Dooley against Patrick Dooley and Abner Case to restrain the foreclosure of a mortgage. From a decree for complainant, defendant Case appeals.
    Reversed.
    
      Taggart, Knappen & Denison, for complainant.
    
      Smith & Colgrove, for appellant.
   Hooker, J.

The complainant filed a bill to restrain a foreclosure by advertisement on the ground that her signature to the mortgage was obtained by fraud practiced upon her by the mortgagee, his agent, one Russell, and her husband. From a decree in her favor, defendant Case appeals.

The case depends upon what is thought of the testimony. Eliminating the testimony of the husband, which is shown to be unworthy of credit, as he admits concocting the scheme which he says was carried out by himself and the defendant Case, we think the statement of the defendant Case seems more probable than complainant’s testimony, and we are satisfied that the alleged fraud is a fabrication, and that, instead of being the victim of a fraud, she and her husband are attempting to perpetrate a fraud upon the defendant Case.

The decree is reversed, and a decree of foreclosure will be entered here, adjudging the sum of $2,631.40, with interest at 8 per cent, upon $2,593.30, and. at 6 per cent, upon the remainder, from the 17th day of November, 1895, to be due upon said mortgage, and authorizing a sale of said premises upon proper notice, in default of payment of said sum, with interest at 8 per cent, and the costs of both courts, within 30 days after entry of the decree, and that the cause be remanded for further proceedings.

The other Justices concurred.