Fuentes v. Santos Maldonado
Fuentes v. Santos Maldonado
Opinion of the Court
delivered the following opinion:
This matter comes np upon motion for instructions to the jury to limit the effect of evidence of possession to the period between August 23, 1912, when the ancestor of the defendants was served, and January 8, 1913, when the return of the marshal shows that the plaintiffs were put in possession of the land.
The facts seem to show that this suit was brought for the recovery of the land and for mesne profits, under the complaint the mesne profits running from the dispossession in 1896 unless some statute of limitations would cover the case.
There was a default entered in the case on September 6, 1912. The wording of the default is simply that, upon motion of the attorney for the plaintiffs, and in accordance with ¶ 2 of § 194 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the default of said defendant in the premises is hereby entered of record according' to law.
The question before the court is, ■ What does that default cover ? The verdict has been set aside so far as relates to the
If the plaintiffs wish to take advantage of their pleading, it must be definite enough to cover the issue. Good faith is presumed. Civil Code, § 437. It does not seem, therefore, that the default covered the question of bad faith. That being so, the recovery of the plaintiffs could at most only be for whatever time they prove now that the land has been held in bad faith. If they are entitled to any damages at all, they must show bad faith. It is not to be implied from the default. Now what have they shown? The evidence presented shows bad faith, that is to say, shows knowledge of the late defendant of the claim of the plaintiffs only from the time of service, or from August 23, 1912, to the time that possession was delivered, which would be January 8, 1913.
It seems to the court that, after reasoning it out, that the motion should be granted. The court will instruct the jury that they can find only for those five months.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- RUPERTO FUENTES v. JOAQUIN SANTOS MALDONADO
- Status
- Published