Court Opinion

ID: 9582967
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:33:18.33839+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:35:39.562655
License: Public Domain

Felton, C. J.,
dissenting. 1. I think that the court erred in not charging the law on a debtor’s right to prefer creditors, etc. A denial of the allegation that the defendant intended to defraud creditors, and evidence to the effect that the defendant intended to pay some creditors and not others, required the charge without a request.
2. I do not think that the evidence authorized a finding that the defendant intended to defraud creditors. The evidence as I understand it showed that the defendant proposed to sell one piece of property in order to pay off incumbrances on it, and that he intended to pay on debts the excess over the incumbrances; There is no evidence on the question of the solvency or insolvency of the defendant. I know that proof of insolvency of the debtor is not absolutely necessary to show fraudulent intent, but I think that in this case it was necessary to show insolvency or some other evidence of fraudulent intent. I do not think that the mere intention to sell property and use the proceeds to pay debts while a suit is pending raises a presumption of intention to defraud creditors. But even if it does, the testimony of the defendant to the contrary is consistent with the circumstantial evidence tending to show fraudulent intent.
I am authorized to say that Townsend, J., concurs in this dissent.