Court Opinion

ID: 9830314
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 20:05:49.086015+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:43:18.791509
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing.
Upon a reconsideration of this case we are ■convinced that we were wrong in our original opinion in one important particular, which affects the judgment rendered.
Without again copying same, attention ' is directed to special issue No. 3 set out in the ■original opinion. In disposing of the case in that opinion we regarded the answer of the jury to this issue as if it amounted to a finding that appellees tendered the check on condition that it be accepted as payment in full, but that appellant did not agree so to accept same. So construing the effect of this answer, we think our opinion was correct. But we were in error in so construing it. Appellant’s evidence wás that the agreement between the parties at the time the check was delivered was that same would be accepted as payment on account, and that it was not tendered by appellees as a payment in full. Ap-pellees testified that it was both tendered and accepted under an agreement that it constituted payment in full. The jury believed appellant’s witness, in part at least, as is conclusively shown by the answer to this issue. We are not prepared to say that the jury did not believe appellant’s witness altogether, and meant by the answer to this issue that the agreement was that the check was neither offered nor accepted as a payment in full of the disputed claim. It would not be contended that, although a check should pass from the debtor to the creditor having printed thereon the statement printed on this check to the effect that same was in payment in full, an accord and satisfaction would result, when the parties understood it should not have that effect at the time the cheek was given. In order to work an accord and satisfaction under facts like those here involved, it is essential that the debtor tender his check on condition. As stated in Williston on Contracts, § 1856: “The imposition of an accord and satisfaction on the creditor against his will can be justified only where his taking the check would be tortious except on the assumption of a taking in full satisfaction.”
If appellant and appellees agreed that the check was neither tendered nor accepted in full satisfaction of the claim, as testified to by appellant’s witness, no accord and satisfaction resulted, notwithstanding the printed matter on the check. Appellant’s act in taking and cashing the check under such circumstances would not be tortious. There is no certain finding that they did not so agree. The burden was upon appellees to establish their defense of accord and satisfaction, and the duty rested upon them to have submitted to the jury such issues as would embody the essential elements of this defense.
The answer of the jury to special issue No. 3 is just as consistent with the theory that there was no tender of the check upon condition as that there was such tender. Under such state of the record, judgment should not have been rendered for appellees.
On the other hand, we are unable to render judgment for appellant. The finding was uncertain as to its theory of the case, the same as it was to appellees’ theory. It therefore becomes necessary to remand the case for a new trial.
The judgment of this court heretofore en-*319lered affirming the judgment of the trial court is hereby set aside, and in lieu thereof judgment will he entered reversing the judgment of the trial court and remanding the cause for another trial.