Case Name: People ex rel. William A. McOmber v. Albert J. Holmes, justice of the peace
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1879-10-07
Citations: 41 Mich. 417
Docket Number: 
Parties: People ex rel. William A. McOmber v. Albert J. Holmes, justice of the peace.
Judges: 
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 41
Pages: 417–418

Head Matter:
People ex rel. William A. McOmber v. Albert J. Holmes, justice of the peace.
Plea in bar may follow plea in abatement.
A plea in bar is allowable in the court’s discretion after a 'plea in abatement is overruled.
Motion for an order to show cause.
Submitted and denied October 7.
S. J. Scott and J. K. Wright for the motion.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
Defendants in an action of trespass brought before a justice for taking plaintiff's goods pleaded in abatement that there was a joint owner who ought to have come in as co-complainant. Issue was taken denying that the alleged joint-owner had any interest in the goods. The justice on the trial of this issue overruled the plea and allowed a plea in bar. Plaintiff insisted that he ought to have assessed damages, and as he refused, asks a mandamus to compel him to do so.
The justice was right. The circuit practice now authorizes a plea in bar after a plea in abatement has been disposed of in this way, and in many cases great injustice would be done by depriving a party who has honestly pleaded in abatement, of his defense on the merits. We think the practice is correct.
Motion denied.