Case Name: In the matter of the Petition of T. J. O'Connell for a writ of Habeas Corpus
Court: Kansas Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Kansas
Decision Date: 1892-07
Citations: 49 Kan. 415
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the matter of the Petition of T. J. O’Connell for a writ of Habeas Corpus.
Judges: 
Reporter: Kansas Reports
Volume: 49
Pages: 415–416

Head Matter:
In the matter of the Petition of T. J. O’Connell for a writ of Habeas Corpus.
Pboceedings in Aid oe Execution — Examination of Debtoi--General Finding — Imprisonment. In proceedings in aid of execution, the court made a general finding that the judgment debtor had money and property in his possession and under his control which he unjustly refused to apply to the payment of his debts, and ordered his imprisonment until he make full satisfaction of the judgment. Held, On habeas corpus, that it was necessary that the order state the amount of money and describe the property under his oontrol; otherwise it would not appear that he had wherewith to satisfy the judgment; and that the order should first direct payment, and only after refusal should the commitment be made.
Original Proceeding in Habeas Corpus.
The facts sufficiently appear in the opinion, handed down July 8, 1892.
W. A. S. Bird, for petitioner. No brief on file.
J. B. Larimer, and Hazen & Isenhart, for respondent. No brief on file.

Opinion:
Per Curiam:
The petitioner, T. J. O'Connell, alleges that he is restrained of his liberty and unlawfully imprisoned by the sheriff of Shawnee county, under an order of the district judge of said county, made in proceedings in aid of execution. It appears that, at the conclusion of the examination, the judge made a general finding that the petitioner had money and property in his possession and under his control which he unjustly refused to apply to the payment of his debts, and ordered the sheriff of Shawnee county to arrest the petitioner and imprison him until he should make full and complete satisfaction of the-judgment and costs rendered against him.
There are two fatal objections to the order of the judge committing the petitioner to the jail of Shawnee county. The order does not specify the kind of property, or state the amount of money the petitioner had in his possession; neither does it describe the property under his control. This we think was necessary. He may not have had property and money sufficient to satisfy the judgment. If he had not, it would hardly be contended that he should be imprisoned for refusing to comply with an order that he was powerless to obey. In proceedings in aid of execution, where an examination has resulted in the disclosure that the debtor unjustly refuses to apply money or property which he has in his possession or under his control to the satisfaction of a judgment rendered against him, the practice is for the court or judge to order the judgment debtor to deliver over a sufficient sum of money, or turn out property enough to satisfy such judgment and costs; and then, if he willfully disobeys such order, the same may be enforced by proceedings for contempt, and under such proceedings the district judge may commit him'to the jail of the county until the judgment and costs are satisfied. (In re Burrows, 33 Kas. 675.) This was not done in the proceedings in aid of execution against the petitioner. He was given no opportunity to show cause.
It is ordered that the petitioner be discharged.