Marland v. Jefferson
Marland v. Jefferson
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court. We are all of opinion that, from the facts disclosed by Parks, it is clear that he was interested, and so ought not to have been admitted as a competent witness. As an agent merely he is not disqualified, but it appears that he is strongly interested in the recovery of the sum sued for, and in establishing the liability of Jefferson, the only solvent defendant. The goods sold were consigned to him, and he had made advances on account of them. The consignor is r solvent. The witness,
Mew trial granted.
The disqualifying interest of a witness may consist in the expectation either of acquiring an immediate benefit or of avoiding someimmediate loss or deprivation. Gilb. Ev. 232; Stebbins v. Sacket, 5 Conn. R. 258 ; Rudge v.Ferguson, 1 Carr. & Payne, 253 ; Gilb. Ev. 106,107; Bull. N. P. 284. But the expectation by anattorney, of a larger fee in case of his client’s success, does not render him incompetent totestify for his client. Newman v. Bradley, 1 Dallas, 241 ; Miles v. O’Hara, 1 Serg. & Rawle,32 ; Slocum v. Newby, 1 Murphy, 423. See Benedict v. Brownson, Kirby, 78 ; Allen v. Hawks, 13 Pick. 79. An expectation of a leaseof the locus in quo, does not disqualify one to be a witness for the plaintiff in trespass qu. el.fr. Baker v. Pearce, 4 Harr. & M‘Hen. 502. See Phil. Ev (3d Eng. ed.) 49.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- John Marland versus Isaac Jefferson
- Status
- Published