Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

11 N.Y. 83

Benham v. Cary

New York Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1833

New York Supreme Court · decided 1833-10-15

Error from the Yates common pleas. Cary sued Benham in trover for a wagon. Benham justified the taking as sheriff of Yates, under an execution in favor of one Phelps, against one Blakesley, in whose possession the wagon was found. The levy was made under the execution on the 16th November, 1831.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently August 1904

2 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1833-10-15

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

¶1By the Court,

Sutherland, J.

¶2The only question in the case was, whether the wagon was really the property of Blakesley, or whether it belonged to the plaintiff, Cary. It seems to me a very clear case of a fraudulent attempt, on the part, of Cary and Blakesley, to cover up the property of the latter, and put it beyond the reach of his creditors. With a view to the question of fraud or conspiracy between Cary and Blakesley, the defendant offered to show other instances or transactions about the same time, in relation to other portions of Blakesley’s property, in which the title was nominally in Cary, but the sale actually made by Blakesley, and the consideration received by him. This evidence was objected to, and rejected by the court. With a view to the question of fraud, I think the evidence was competent; it was a transaction cotemporaneous with the one in question, and upon questions of this description, depending on various circumstances, a considerable latitude is indulged in the admission of evidence. The charge of the judge also was calculated to make an erroneous impression upon the jury, and to mislead them in the views of the ease.

¶3Judgment reversed, and venire de novo,

/11/ny/83 · .json · Public domain