Case Name: Martin Meagher versus Elijah Bachelder and Two Others
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1810-05
Citations: 5 Tyng 444
Docket Number: 
Parties: Martin Meagher versus Elijah Bachelder and Two Others.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 6
Pages: 363–363

Head Matter:
Martin Meagher versus Elijah Bachelder and Two Others.
Practice. — Where, in assumpsit against three defendants, each pleaded to issue severally, they were not allowed to tax costs for each.
This was an improper mode of pleading, and if the plaintifi' had demurred, he must have had judgment
Defendants cannot sever in pleading, except in actions for a tort
In assumpsit, the defendants severally pleaded the general issue of non assumpsit, which was joined by the plaintiff.
, On a trial before Parker, J., during this term, a verdict was returned for the defendants.
Afterwards, when the Court was full, Orr moved for a direction to the clerk to tax costs for each of the defendants, as they had pleaded severally.
Hopkins for the plaintiff.

Opinion:
But the Court denied the motion, and at the same time observed that this was a very improper mode of pleading; and that if the plaintiff had demurred, he must have had judgment. Defendants cannot sever in their pleas, except in actions founded on a tort. If, in this case, one defendant only had appeared, he must have pleaded that the three defendants did not promise, &c.
Orr took nothing by his motion.