Case Name: Chase v. Hodges
Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1845-09
Citations: 2 Pa. 48
Docket Number: 
Parties: Chase v. Hodges.
Judges: 
Reporter: Pennsylvania State Reports
Volume: 2
Pages: 48–49

Head Matter:
Chase v. Hodges.
The death of defendant, between verdict and judgment, if not more than two terms intervene, cannot be averred for error, since the statute 17 Ch. 1, c. 8; 1 Ja. 2, c. 17, s. 5.
Error to the Common Pleas of Warren count)'.
This was a sci. fa. on a recognisance of bail in error, in which the following facts were stated for the decision of the court:
A trial was had between Chase and Morse, and verdict rendered March 11th, 1835. A motion for judgment was held under advisement until June term; and on the 5th of June the judgment was entered. Morse died abroad on the 8th of May of the same year, but it was not known until after a wiit of error was issued, in which the present defendant became bail. The judgment was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
The court below gave judgment for defendant.
Pearson and Galbraith, for plaintiff in error.'
— In Hopkins v. Wrigglesworth, 2 Lev. 38, it is said such a fact cannot be noticed by the Exchequer Chamber on a plea of in nul. est er.; and it seems to be a general rule that nothing can be assigned for error which contradicts the record. 2 Bac. Ab. Error, 489; Roll. Ab. 757. Thus a death, before the test of the dedimus, cannot be averred. Id. Dyer, 89; Cro. Eliz. 469. The very case seems decided in Plummer v. Webb, 2 Ld. Raym. 1415, n.; 1 Salk. 262; 3 Wils. 85; Pet. C. C. R. 155.
Browne, contra,
referred to 6 Serg. & Rawle, 126.

Opinion:
Burnside, J.
— The statute of 17 Charles 2, chap. 8, made perpetual by 1 James 2, chap. 17, sect. 5, enacts, that when either party dies between verdict and judgment, the death shall not be alleged for error, so that the judgment be had within two terms after verdict. Robert's Digest, 309; 6 Serg. & Rawle, 126; Murray v. Cooper. [His honour here stated the facts of the case.]
In Hopkins et al. v. Wrigglesworth, 2 Levinz, trespass and judgment against the defendant in the Exchequer Chamber, and assigns for error the death of the defendant before the first judgment. The defendant in error pleads in nullo est erratum, which confesses error in fact; but the court affirmed the judgment, for the Court of Exchequer had nothing to do with the error in fact. It is a general rule, that nothing can be assigned for error that contradicts the record. 2 Bac. Ab. 489; Rolle Ab. 787, and note to 2 Ld. Raym. 1415; Murray v. Cooper, 6 Serg. & Rawle, 126.
Here the defendant Morse had all the advantage of the writ of error. The plaintiff was delayed, and the recognisance of the defendant in this action became absolute by the affirmance of the judgment that he, Hodges, would pay the debt and damages.
The judgment is reversed, and judgment entered for the plaintiff on the case stated.