Sebright v. Moore

Weight of evidence: Question for the jury. The weight of the evidence is a matter for the consideration of the jury only. Estoppel: Attachment: Disclaimer: Advising proceedings. One who disclaimed ownership and advised an attachment of chattels as the property of another ancl consented to the levy, is estopped from afterwards setting np a claim of title as against such proceedings.

Error to Allegan Circuit. This was replevin brought by Sebright to recover a yoke of oxen ancl an ox-yoke. Moore claimed them by virtue of a sale on execution against one Hill, issued upon a judgment in favor of one Cooper. The property was first taken on an attachment, and after judgment, was sold on the execution. Hill had contracted for the purchase of this property from Sebright to be paid for in work, and the title to remain in the vendor till payment; and he had also made a like contract for the purchase of a span of horses. The defendant urged that Sebright was estopped from asserting title by reason of statements sworn to have been made by him to Cooper before he sued out his attachment. These statements were in substance, that there ivas enough due to Hill for work to pay for the cattle, and that Cooper should go and take the cattle, and he would take the horses, and both would get their pay. The court ruled in substance, that if Sebright had by such statements induced Cooper to institute the attachment suit and make the levy, he would be estopped from afterwards setting up title in himself as against the title derived from the attachment proceedings. There was also evidence tending to show that the title to the cattle had in fact become absolute in Hill at the time of the attachment, and the court submitted the question as one of fact to the jury. The verdict and judgment were for the defendant, and the plaintiff brought error.