Case Name: George Daskalopoulos v. John J. Mulvanity
Court: New Hampshire Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Decision Date: 1920-12-07
Citations: 79 N.H. 533
Docket Number: 
Parties: George Daskalopoulos v. John J. Mulvanity.
Judges: All concurred.
Reporter: New Hampshire Reports
Volume: 79
Pages: 533–534

Head Matter:
Hillsborough,
Dec. 7, 1920.
George Daskalopoulos v. John J. Mulvanity.
Assumpsit, for money had and received. The plaintiff sought to recover the sum of $517, paid on account of the purchase price of an automobile which he bought of the defendant and which the defendant afterwards took from the plaintiff. Trial by the court and verdict for the plaintiff. At the close of the evidence the defendant moved for a verdict. This motion was denied subject to exception.
Transferred from the September term, 1919, of the superior court by Marble, J.
Lucier & Lucier, for the plaintiff.
Cobleigh & Cobleigh, for the defendant.

Opinion:
Peaslee, J.
There was evidence from which it could be found that after a contract of conditional sale was made and while the plaintiff was not in default, the defendant wrongfully took the car from the plaintiff's possession, and refused to return it until the plaintiff paid the balance of the purchase price, which was not then due. The plaintiff was willing to pay if he could have the car, but the defendant insisted upon retaining possession. Upon these facts the plaintiff had an undoubted right to treat the contract as rescinded and recover the money he had paid. Dow v. Harkin, 67 N. H. 383, and cases cited.
The defendant's argument is based upon the assumption that his testimony is to be believed rather than the plaintiff's, and wholly disregards the elementary rule governing the disposition of a motion for a directed verdict.
Exception overruled.
All concurred.