Rindskopf v. Zimmer

Seabury, J. This case was tried before the court without a jury, and judgment- rendered for the plaintiff and against the defendant upon his counterclaim. Plaintiff as assignee sues to recover $1,500 for the purchase price of an automobile sold and delivered by plaintiff’s assignor to defendant. Defendant denies the assignment and pleads a counterclaim against plaintiff based upon the .contention that plaintiff’s assignor and defendant made and delivered to Hilder their joint promissory note for $5,000, and that, to induce the defendant to sign such note, plaintiff’s assignor agreed to indemnify the defendant to the extent of one-half the amount defendant was required to pay upon that joint note. Defendant claimed that prior to the assignment to plaintiff he paid the amount of the note and $300 interest. The defendant paid the original note of $5,000 by giving Hilder, the payee, his in [30] dividual note and $300 interest. The assignment was fully proved. The question in dispute arises upon the counterclaim. It seems to be settled law that if the defendant paid the whole amount of the joint note he is entitled to contribution against the plaintiff’s assignor. The giving by the defendant of his own note was not suich a payment as entitled the defendant to contribution by the plaintiff’s assignor, unless the note was given in payment. Auerbach v. Rogin, 40 Misc. Rep. 695-697. If the creditors received the note of the defendant in satisfaction of the joint debt, the defendant is entitled to contribution from the plaintiff. Repeated efforts were made by the defendant, both by questions asked and offers made, to show that the individual note of the defendant was received in payment of the joint note, and that when the individual note became due it was paid in full by the defendant, but the court ruled out such offered testimony. These rulings were erroneous and require a reversal of the judgment. Bijue and Cohalah, JJ., concur. Judgment reversed, new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event.