Cope v. Brentz

<p>Abstract of the Decision.</p> <p>1. Trial, § 82*—discretion of court in reopening cause for further evidence. Where the court permitted defendants, after both parties had rested, to reopen the case and introduce in evidence a judgment upon which an execution was based and a levy made, it was held not erroneous, as being a matter wholly within" the discretion of the court, the exercise of which is ordinarily not a subject for review.</p> <p>2. Instructions, § 11*—when erroneous. An instruction directing a verdict and not requiring the jury to find the facts from the evidence, and leaving it to the jury to say what is a valid mortgage, without telling what constitutes a valid mortgage, is erroneous.</p> <p>3. Instructions, § 94*—where witness testifies falsely to fact material to issues. An instruction to the jury to the effect that if any witness has knowingly and wilfully testified falsely to any “material fact or allegation, etc.,” is erroneous as it should have been any “fact material to the issues, etc.”</p> <p>4. Instructions, § 119*—necessity of lasing on evidence. An instruction should be based on evidence with which to support it.</p> <p>5. Instructions, § 114*—necessity of confining to issues of pleadings. Where there is no plea alleging that there was no consideration for a mortgage, it is erroneous for the court to instruct the jury upon such a question.</p> <p>6. Replevin, § 147*—when instruction erroneous as ignoring defense. In an action of replevin of property taken under an execution, an instruction that entirely ignores the defense that plaintiff was in possession of the property under a chattel mortgage is held erroneous.</p> <p>7. Replevin, § 26*—sufficiency of instruction. In an action of replevin to recover the possession of property taken under an execution, an instruction is held to fail to correctly state the law; that if possession is taken under an unacknowledged mortgage before possession is taken under the execution, possession will defeat the execution.</p>