Streeks v. Dyer

Stewart, J., delivered tbe opinion of the Court. There were two counts in the plaintiffs’ declaration— the one claiming damages for the conversion of certain property, and the other for wrongfully taking and depriving the plaintiff's of certain property. The defendant pleaded not guilty to both, and the jury rendered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff's. The defendant moved in arrest of judgment, alleging as reasons that the verdict was general, not showing whether found on the first or second count. From the decision of the Circuit Court overruling this motion, and the rendition of a judgment on the verdict, the defendant has taken this appeal. The appellant in his brief, assuming both counts to be good — tbe one as a count in trover, and the other in detinue — contends that the general verdict and the judgment thereon, are erroneous, because they do not afford sufficient certainty to enable him to plead the recovery in this suit in bar to another action for the same matter. There is no doubt, it is the policy of the law to prevent the repetition of suits between the same parties, for the [427] same subject-matter; and that a party is not allowed to recover twice for the same cause of action ; and in order that parties may avail themselves of the defence of a former recovery, there should be reasonable certainty in all pleadings. But from the multiplicity and variety of the causes of action, it is impracticable to establish rules of pleading that will enable the Courts to ascertain from the record alone, in all cases, whether a second suit is identical with the first. Therefore such a defence is not confined to a mere estoppel by the record, but may be proven by evidence, as any other issue. The operation of the rule of res adjudicata, has frequently been before this Court, and was explained in the recent case of Whitehurst vs. Rogers, 38 Md., 503, and it is unnecessary to reiterate the extent and purport of the rule. It was stated that the identity of the first and second actions is not determined alone by the pleadings, but by proof. Parties may not choose in the conduct of a suit to present their pleadings in such definite forms as to enable the Court to determine the identity of two suits. In adjudicating upon a pending sift, the primary duty of the Court, is to determine from the proceedings the corresponding rights of the litigants therein involved. Whether the pleadings are of such a character, as to prevent another suit for the same matter, is of secondary consideration. The Courts may dispose of the case before them, but they cannot provide against all future controversy between the parties. Whether the same matter is involved in a future suit, must depend upon the proof to be adduced at its trial. So far as the verdict and judgment in this case may operate to conclude the parties ; it is obvious the plaintiff's [428] are as much concluded by the record of proceedings as the defendant. (Decided 5th February, 1874.) Upon what theory can the defendant be prejudiced from the application of the general verdict to all the wrongs alleged in both counts ? In the absence of other proof than the record, is not the defendant fully protected by the same which operates, prima facie at least, ás a bar to any further suits for any and all the wrongs alleged in both counts ? There is no valid reason to prevent the plaintiffs from recovering the amount of the verdict, simply because it includes all their demands in both counts. Because the two counts are good, furnishes no reason for the arrest of the judgment, when if only one'begood, the Court, according to the provision of the 8th sec. of Art. 75, of the Code, would not arrest the judgment. Such a result would make two good counts more prejudicial to the plaintiffs, than one or more bad counts joined with one good count, which is all that is necessary after the verdict, to support the judgment. No just rule of pleading can sanction such conclusion from the joinder of two good counts. The case of Stirling vs. Garritee, 18 Md., 474, relied upon by the appellant’s counsel, does not determine the question involved here. There was but one count in that case which the Court considered defective, for the reasons stated, which do not apply to this case. Judgment affirmed.