Court Opinion

ID: 9825274
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 12:27:17.508176+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:40:38.685774
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing.
[6] Under- the general rule of pleading, the effect of a failure of plaintiff to take issue on the defendant’s plea of disclaimer would be to confess the plea, which would entitle the defendants to a judgment as to the property the possession of which was disclaimed ; but, under the statutory rule, the plaintiff was entitled to a judgment as to this property as against the defendant, who disclaimed without the right to recover costs or damages with respect to this feature of the case. The statute provides:
“That upon the defendant’s disclaimer, or upon his failure to appear and plead in such cases, the plaintiff may take judgment against the defendant for the property sued for; and upon proof that the defendant was in possession of the property sued for, at the time of the service of the writ, or at the commencement of the suit, the plaintiff may also recover of defendant the costs in the cause, and the value of the use of the property, while in the possession of such defendant, and may also have the jury to assess the value of the property sued for, and have judgment thereon for the alternative value thereof.'”
As is now provided by law, the mere fact that one of the defendants disclaimed as to a part of the property is no reason why the plaintiff could not recover as to the other property sued for, and as to which the defendants pleaded the general issue, if he could establish title and the right to its immediate possession.
The application is overruled.
Application overruled.