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32 Ala. 579

Durden v. State

Supreme Court of Alabama

Decided June 15, 1858

Supreme Court of Alabama · decided 1858-06-15

[judgment against DEFAULTING -WITNESS before grand jury.] Appeal from the Circuit Court of Choctaw. Tried before the Hon. E. W. Pettus. The appellant in this case having been summoned to attend as a witness before the grand jury, and having made default, a judgment nisi was taken against him, on which a scire facias was issued.

Relies on Emanuel v. Ketchum

Decided 1858-06-15

STONE, J.

¶1The right to proceed in this case to a final judgment, by taking a judgment nisi, and by seire facias, is purely statutory, being conferred by section 3492 of the Code. To justify a judgment against a defaulting witness, wbo was summoned to give evidence before the grand jury, the record must affirmatively show a substantial compliance with the statute. — Connolly v. Ala. and Tenn. Rivers R. R. Co., 29 Ala. R. 373, and authorities cited.

¶2The scire facias in this case does not contain enough to justify the judgment rendered. If other facts existed, which make out the regularity of the proceeding, they should have been set forth in a complaint, or declaration. Emanuel v. Ketchum, 21 Ala. 257.

¶3The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded.

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