Case Name: COKER v. EVITT
Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Decision Date: 1899-04-21
Citations: 107 Ga. 324
Docket Number: 
Parties: COKER v. EVITT.
Judges: All the Justices concurring.
Reporter: Georgia Reports
Volume: 107
Pages: 324–325

Head Matter:
COKER v. EVITT.
When a case turns upon a single question of fact and the evidence bearing upon it is so conflicting as to render the result doubtful, it is erroneous and misleading to submit to the jury as a disputed issue a material matter concerning which there was no controversy whatever between the parties. An error of the nature above indicated requires a new trial in the present case.
Submitted March 24,
Decided April 21, 1899.
Levy and claim. Before Judge Henry. Walker superior-court. February term, 1898.
R. M. W. Glenn and Lumpkin. & Shattuck, for plaintiff in error. Copeland & Jackson and C. P. Goree, contra.

Opinion:
Lumpkin, P. J.
This was a claim case, which resulted in a verdict finding subject the property levied on. The only issue contested at the trial was whether or not a deed from the de fendant in execution to the claimant, under which she asserted title, was, with her knowledge, made for the purpose of defrauding his creditors. There was not a particle of evidence to show that this was a purely voluntary conveyance, and the instrument itself recited a valuable consideration. Nevertheless, the trial judge submitted to the jury, as if it were a disputed issue, the question whether or not the deed was wholly without consideration. This was obviously erroneous and calculated to mislead the jury. It follows, the case being a close one upon its facts, that the claimant is entitled to a new trial.
Judgment reversed.
All the Justices concurring.