Court Opinion

ID: 3373914
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-05 18:16:42.930162+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:48:57.718634
License: Public Domain

Thomas Duhadaway and John M. Denning had been duly summoned by the constable and non est inventus returned as to John Denning. J.M. Denning and Duhadaway appeared and claimed a trial by freeholders who were appointed. John Denning did not appear. The referees reported no cause of action against Duhadaway and J.M. Denning and that $3529 was due from John Denning to plff. whereupon the justice gave judgment against Davis for costs.
In this case Duhadaway and J.M. Denning were the only parties before the justice. They submitted the matters in controversy to referees, who decided that they were not indebted to the plff., and on this part of their award the justice properly gave judgment against Davis for costs. They further reported that John Denning was indebted to the plff. in the sum of $35 29. They might with equal propriety have reported that any other person not a party to the record was so indebted. John Denning was not before them and they had no authority to pass upon his rights. The award therefore against John Denning being against a person not a party to the record is a nullity and void; the justice could not have given any judgment against him upon that award; and therefore the judgment against Davis for costs was a proper judgment and the proceedings below must be affirmed with costs.
                                                   Judgment affirmed.