Case Name: Cornwell v. Truss
Court: Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia
Jurisdiction: Virginia
Decision Date: 1811-03
Citations: 2 Munf. 195
Docket Number: 
Parties: Cornwell v. Truss.
Judges: 
Reporter: Virginia Reports
Volume: 16
Pages: 362–363

Head Matter:
Cornwell v. Truss.
March, 1811.
Detinue — Several Chattels — Joint Assessment. — In detinue for several slaves, if their value be j ointly assessed in the verdict, judgment ought not to be entered, but a writ of inquiry to ascertain their respective values should be awarded.
In an action of detinue in the district court of Suffolk, for several slaves, a verdict was found for the plaintiff, and a gross sum assessed as their joint value. Judgment was entered accordingly, to which a writ of supersedeas was granted by a judge of this court, in conformity with the case of Higgenbotham v. Rucker, 2 Call, 313.
Wickham, for the plaintiff in error.
Call, for the defendant.
See monographic note on “Detinue and Replevin” appended to Hunt v. Martin, 8 Gratt. 578.

Opinion:
'*The Court reversed the judgment, and remanded the cause to the superior court of Nansemond county, for a writ of inquiry to be awarded, to ascertain the separate prices of the slaves; and thereupon for judgment to be entered in favour of Truss, the original plaintiff, for the said slaves, or their respective prices, and the costs.