Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

2 Ky. Op. 554

Howard v. Murphy

Court of Appeals of Kentucky

Decided July 1, 1867

Court of Appeals of Kentucky · decided 1867-07-01

Michael Murpby sued Henry 0. Howard for $82.03, being the balance claimed due him for services as a farm laborer, part of his wages, some $111, having been paid by his employer. Defendant answered, denying the indebtedness, or any part thereof, but alleged in justification of his refusal to pay the demands of plaintiff, that he had employed said Murphy to work for him for one year for the sum of $300.

Decided 1867-07-01

¶1OniNioN op the Court by

Judge William:s:

¶2The answer of defendant below was not an off-set or counterclaim, but presented an issue in bar which by the provisions of the Civil Code stood denied except so far as confessed by the statements of the petition; therefore it was not only unnecessary to reply, but no such pleading is known to the Code.

¶3There was some contrariety of evidence; therefore, the jury should have been permitted to find on it without a peremptory instruction from the court to find for plaintiff.

¶4It was erroneous to give the peremptory instruction, which was not cured by the following instruction, though they seem to be inconsistent.

¶5As the judgment must be reversed for this error, it is unnecesssarv to say anything as to the discovery of the evidence after the trial.

¶6Wherefore, the judgment is reversed, with directions for a new trial.

/2/kyop/554 · .json · Public domain