Owens v. Hudson

1 Ky. Op. 298, 1866 Ky. LEXIS 308

• Court: Court of Appeals of Kentucky
• Decided: June 21, 1866
• Status: Published

Opinion

Opinion op the Court by

Judge Robertson :

If the jailer was the proper officer to levy the executions ought to have been directed to him. He had no legal right to levy an execution directed to- the sheriff. His levy on a slave and other personalty was, therefore, void. The venditio exponas directing the sheriff to sell that property illegally levied on by the jailer was also illegal; and, therefore, according to the principle recognized in Geoghegan v. Ditto, 2 Metc. 437, Hudson’s surrender of his land to the jailer to sell in lieu of the personalty was without consideration and the result of illegal coercion. It waived only past irregularities, not illegal and void acts. The principle of estoppel does not apply to a surrender coerced by a void execution or levy.

Moreover the jailer’s return of the sale of the land not only does not import but excludes the implication that he offered, as it was his duty tó do, any less quantity than the whole tract, worth several thousand dollars to satisfy the execution for less than $500.

We are, therefore, of the opinion that the sale and conveyance were illegal and void, and the verdict and judgment consequently right.

But, under all the circumstances, we think that Owens should hold an equitable lien on the land for securing his debt and 10 per cent, interest thereon which redemption would have cost. He seems to have acted in good faith, and Hudson appears to have either fraudulently or negligently trifled with his own as well as Owens’ rights; and, therefore, the 10 per cent, is considered but equitable. The equitable lien herein recognized may be in form or by approximate proceedings.

Judgment affirmed.