Stephens v. Hix

Ogden, P. J. On the trial of this canse, after the evidence of both plaintiff and defendant had closed, the plaintiff demurred to defendant’s testimony, and the defendant joined in the demurrer; thereupon the court withdrew the cause from the jury, and decided the same upon the demurrer. This, says Bouvier, is the correct practice, and he refers to Arch. Prac., 186, and other authorities, as supporting the rule enunciated. He further says, that “A demurrer to evidence is analogus to a demurrer in pleading, the party from whom it comes declaring that he will not proceed, because the evidence offered on the other side is not sufficient to maintain the issue.” The parties having demurred to each other’s evidence, it then became the province of the court to determine whether either plaintiff or defendant had sustained the allegations of their pleadings by their proof. It appears that the court sustained the demurrer to the evidence of both plaintiff and defendant, and rendered judgment for the defendant, and the plaintiff has appealed, and assigned the judgment as error; and this is the only assignment which need be noticed. It appears that both plaintiff and defendant claim title to the land in controversy through W. C. Philips as a common source, and on the trial the plaintiff introduced in evidence a deed direct from Philips to himself, conveying to him the land in controversy. He then proved that the defendant was in possession of the land. W e think this evidence clearly sufficient to authorize a judgment for plaintiff, unless the defendant by his evidence established [659] the nullity of plaintiff’s deed, or proved a superior title in himself. The object of the plaintiff in introducing a transcript from the records in the case of Philips v. Page is not clearly perceived; but that, at least, could do the plaintiff’s cause no harm, and his other evidence was sufficient to establish a prima facie case. The defendant, Ben. Hix, then introduced a deed from Page to him for the land in controversy, and closed without proving up any connection whatever of his or the Page title with that of Philips, under whom they both claim. This evidence was certainly defective, and insufficient to establish any title, or to defeat the prima facie title established by the plaintiff. The court did not err in sustaining the demurrer to defendants’ evidence; but there was error in sustaining the demurrer to the plaintiff’s evidence. On the contrary, we think the court should have rendered a judgment for the plaintiff. And as the cause below was submitted to the court upon the law and the,facts of the cause, this court will here render such a judgment as should have been entered below. The judgment of the District Court is therefore reversed, and a judgment will be entered for the plaintiff below and appellant here. Reversed and rendered.