Case ID: tenn_53/html/0440-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "TurNey, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

W. N. Reid v. Louisa Hoffman.
    Writ of Error. Coram Nobis. Affidavit made by Agent. An affidavit to the truth of a petition for a writ of error coram nobis and supersedeas, made by an agent, is a nullity unless it appears in the petition or affidavit that the facts lie peculiarly within the knowledge of said agent, or other good cause he shown for the employment of an agent.
    EROM MARION.
    Appeal in error from the judgment of the Circuit Court, March Term, 1870. Wm. L. Adams, J.
    
      A. A. Hyde for plaintiff in error.
    N. H. Bust for defendant in error.
   TurNey, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

In an application for writs of error corarn nobis, and for writs of supersedeas, an affidavit to the petition, made by one styling himself agent for the petitioners, is insufficient and is no affidavit, unless it appear in the affidavit or petition that the facts relied on are peculiarly within the knowledge of such agent, or good cause shown for the employment of an agent.

Under a different rule, it is difficult to imagine a case in which the writs might not • be maintained, as all the party desiring the writs would have to do, would be to employ an agent, make a statement to to him of assumed facts, necessary for his purposes, have the agent see his attorney, inform him of these facts, have prepared a petition embracing such facts, and, as in this case, swear to them “to the best of his information and belief,” thus enabling dissatisfied suitors by artful dodges to cheat the law.

Affirm the judgment.