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Royce & Company et al. vs. Gazan, and vice versa

Supreme Court of Georgia1885-10-20
76 Ga. 79

Summary

Holding. The trial court's judgment in favor of the claimant was affirmed; the court overruled the plaintiffs' motion for a new trial.

In this dispute over attached property, Simon Gazan claimed ownership of goods and real estate that had been levied upon as the property of Nathan Gazan. Gazan asserted he had purchased the property from Nathan Gazan in satisfaction of pre-existing debts, with a portion paid in cash. The opposing parties (Royce & Company and Loomis & Hart) challenged the sale as fraudulent and lacking good faith. A jury determined the property was not subject to the attachment, finding in favor of the claimant.

The plaintiffs sought a new trial, raising multiple objections to the court's evidentiary rulings and allowing certain testimony. Key disputes included whether the court properly admitted documentary evidence through handwriting identification rather than the defendant's direct testimony, whether the claimant could properly assume the burden of proof by admitting possession of the levied property, and whether particular questions about intent and purpose were appropriately posed to the claimant. The court overruled the motion for a new trial.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

  • Admissibility of documentary evidence through witness handwriting identification when the signatory is present in court
  • Whether a claimant may assume the burden of proof by admitting the defendant's possession of levied property over the opposing party's objection
  • Propriety of questions seeking testimony regarding intent and purpose to defraud creditors
  • Whether fraud occurred in the alleged sale of property in satisfaction of debt

Procedural posture

The case involved claims and counterclaims regarding attached property, tried together by agreement with a jury verdict for the claimant, followed by the plaintiffs' unsuccessful motion for a new trial on multiple evidentiary grounds.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

majority opinion

Jackson, Chief Justice.

[Attachments in favor of H. A. Royce & Co. and Loomis & Hart were levied upon a stock of goods and a house and lot, as the property of Nathan Gazan, and Simon Gazan interposed a claim thereto. The cases were tried together by agreement.

The claimant’s title rested upon a purchase claimed to have been made from the defendant in payment of a preexisting indebtedness, except a balance, which was paid to the defendant in money. These debts were evidenced by certain notes and drafts. The plaintiffs denied the honafide making of this sale, and insisted that the alleged transfer was fraudulent.

The jury found the property not subject. The plaintiff moved for a new trial, on th.e following grounds;

(1) to (3.). Because the verdict was contrary to law and evidence.

(4.) Because the court erred in, overruling plaintiff’s objection to the admission of the notes and drafts purport ing to be-signed-by Nathan Gazan, upon proof of the-execution of the same-by the evidence’of J. G. McCall that’ he was acquaintedwith the handwriting, that the signatures were Gazan’s signatures, and that the notes shown, were the identical notes delivered to him as attorney for Nathan Gazan in payment for the1 goods;—the objection being., that said Gazan- was -present in court and that his evidence would be the bestevidence of their execution.

(5.) Abandoned.

(6.) .Because thecourt erred in allowing theclaimant • to assume the bufden of- -proof, with -its consequent rights ’ and privileges, by • admitting possession of the property - levied on in the defendant at the time of the levy, over the objection of- plaintiff’s counsel -on the ground -that-the claimant had no right to make such admission and : assume such onus- over- plaintiff’s objection; thát said admission was false-; that-, as a matter of fact, the possession was- in the claimant, and that -the courtshould hear evidence as to the possession and by. the -proof determine where to place the onus.

(7.) Because the court erred in continuing said ruling of force, and allowing claimants Counsel to conclude, after it appeared to the court from the testimony of the claimant himself (and which was conceded by plaintiff) that the possession of said property • was. in said claimant at the time of the levy. [The court certified that the order of arguments was arranged by counsel themselves, under the previous ruling of the court.]

(8.) Because the court erred in allowing thefollowing1 question to be asked claimant by his- counsel, to-with “ What was your object in buying this stock of goods from Nathan?” over plaintiff’s objection, because intention or • purpose could not be proved in thatway,it-beingspecially a conclusion to be derived from the facts.

(9.) And the -following question, to-wit: “State your knowledge, if any, of any intention of Nathan Gazan to hinder or defraud his creditors,” over plaintiff’s objection, the samé as set forth in preceding ground.

(10.) Because the court refused to allow plaintiff’s counsel to ask Simon Gazan if he Had not failed recently.

(11) to (14.) Abandoned in argument.

(15.) Because of newly discovered evidence.

The motion was overruled, and the plaintiff excepted.

They were allowed, by consent order, thirty days after adjournment of court in which to file a brief of the evidence. On the last day -allowed, a brief of the evidence was presented to the judge, who entered on it “ Examined and approved, subject to future corrections, if necessary.” It never was agreed on by counsel. Subsequently, a motion to dismiss the motion for a new trial was made, because the brief of evidence was not properly agreed on, approved and filed within the terms of the order. Certain corrections were made in the brief, and the court finally approved it. He overruled .the motion to dismiss, and the claimant filed a cross-bill of exceptions.]