Marsh v. Phillips, Jr. & Co.
Marsh v. Phillips, Jr. & Co.
Opinion of the Court
On the trial of a certiorari to the justice court from the superior court, wherein it appeared that a jury in the justice court had overruled an affidavit of illegality, the judge of the superior court did not sustain the' certiorari, but affirmed the action of the jury. The error assigned here is that judgment of the superior court.
We think that ordinarily an attachment can be served again by another levy or by another service of garnishment, which is only another sort of levy; but the question here is, can it be served again on the same garnishee after the judgment discharged Mm? That discharge, in an issue of indebtedness or not — effects in his hands or none — is a judgment for him on the merits, and cannot be again tried. It is an estoppel injudicio by a solemn judgment on the issue of indebtedness to the defendant in attachment, and cannot be opened again, except as all other judgments may be, that is, for fraud in procuring it, or other legal reason. But if, on a mere technical point, the garnishee was discharged, then he might be served again. As we read the petition for the certiorari (which is adopted by the answer), it appears to be a judgment after issue and trial on the truth of garnishee’s answer; but possibly it may have been a discharge simply on some technical objection to the traverse, or other irregularity of that sort. Therefore we reverse the judgment, with directions that the superior court order a fuller answer to the writ by the justice of the peace before whom the trial was had on the illegality, and ascertain precisely what was done.
Judgment reversed.
Reference
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- Marsh, Jr. v. Phillips, Jr., & Company
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