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1 Va. 76

Butler v. Parks

Court of Appeals of Virginia

Decided April 15, 1792

Court of Appeals of Virginia · decided 1792-04-15

This was an action of detinue, in the County Court, for five negroes; and a verdict was rendered for four, without finding, either for plaintiff or defendant, as to the fifth. The judgment of the County Court •was reversed in the District Court; from which the plaintiff below appealed to this court. Marshall for the appellee contended, that only part of the issue having been found, the whole verdict must be set aside. He cited Co. Lit. 227. 3 Leo. 83. Hard. 166.

Decided 1792-04-15

By the Court.

¶1The judgment of the County Court is certainly erroneous, in not finding the whole issue. The jury should have found that the defendant did, or did not, detain the fifth slave. This is exactly like the case of Custice and Posey in the old General Court; which was an action of detinue for three cows, and the jury having only found a verdict as to two, the verdict was set aside. But the judgment of the District Court, in this case is also erroneous, in not awarding a Venire facias de novo.

¶2Both judgments therefore must be reversed, and the cause remanded to the Countjr Court, to be tried anew.

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