Case Name: Simeon W. Robinson vs. William Mason and another
Court: Connecticut Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1858-03
Citations: 27 Conn. 270
Docket Number: 
Parties: Simeon W. Robinson vs. William Mason and another.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 27
Pages: 270–271

Head Matter:
Simeon W. Robinson vs. William Mason and another.
Where, on a disclosure of a garnishee, cited in on the original process, the superior court made a finding of the facts, and reserved for the advice of this court the question whether, on the facts, the garnishee ought to be found indebted, this court refused to consider the case, because the finding as to such indebtedness would not be definitive, but merely prima facie evidence to be used on the trial of the scire facias afterwards to be brought.

Opinion:
This was an action of assumpsit, brought by writ of foreign attachment, in which the garnishee was cited in the writ to appear before the court to which' it was returnable. and disclose whether he had in his hands the goods or effects of the defendants, or was indebted to them. On such disclosure, the superior court found the facts which were proved or admitted, and reserved them for the., advice of this court as to what judgment should be rendered upon them. This court dismissed the case, on the ground mainly that the proceedings on the disclosure of the garnishee were not of such a character that the rights of the parties could be definitively determined upon them, inasmuch as the finding on such a disclosure would not constitute a judgment, but would only be prima facie evidence on the scire facias to be subsequently brought; and that it was therefore not a proper matter, at least in this stage of the case, if indeed it could be in any other, to be brought before this court as an appellate or advisory tribunal for its advice or revision. The reasons for this decision will more fully appear in the opinion of the court in the case of Tweedy v. Nichols, decided at its term in Fairfield County, in October, 1858, in which a motion by the plaintiff for a new trial on a disclosure of a garnishee, (on the ground that the superior court had, on such disclosure, erred in excluding what was claimed to be admissible evidence,) which was reserved for the advice of this court, was dismissed on the same ground.