Peden v. Birkle
Peden v. Birkle
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
Plaintiff Birlde brought his suit to recover from defendant Peden the amount of a check which defendant had drawn on the Farmers National Bank of Longmont, payable to plaintiff, and which on presentation was dishonored because defendant had revoked the check, or stopped payment thereof. On trial to/the court, without jury, judgment was rendered in favor of plaintiff.
Defendant pleaded several affirmative defenses, in substance that the indebtedness for which the check was given had prior thereto been satisfied by a new note secured by chattel mortgage; that the check had been obtained by false representations, which defendant believed and upon which he relied; and that the check had been obtained by duress consisting of threats of prosecution. The evidence shows clearly that the new note and chattel mortgage were not given in payment and satisfaction of the old note, but as a renewal, and with the understanding that the first mortgage was to be foreclosed upon certain property that had been sold by the mortgagor, subject thereto, and omitted from the new mortgage, and that the proceeds of foreclosure should be applied to reduce the new note. The representations alleged to have been made which were said to be false consisted of a statement that the chattel mortgage which plaintiff was foreclosing was good, whereas, the notary, in certifying the acknowledgment to said chattel mortgage, had failed to affix his seal thereto. The proof discloses that the mortgage was shown to defendant before he gave the check, and a copy of the mortgage was left with him. His opportunity to judge of the validity of the mortgage was equal to that of the plaintiff, and he had ample time to investigate as to the law, and take advice if he saw fit. Moreover, the mortgage was good as between the parties thereto, and there is nothing to show or indicate that the plaintiff knowingly misrepresented the legal suf
Finding no error, the judgment will be affirmed.
Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.