Pitts v. Rape

104 S.E. 643, 25 Ga. App. 722, 1920 Ga. App. LEXIS 172

Opinion

Jenkins, P. J.

1. “ A charge stating substantially the law that admissions should be scanned with care, and cautioning the jury not to give them more meaning than they are justly entitled to, was not erroneous.” Stewart v. DeLoach, 86 Ga. 729 (2) (12 S. E. 1067); Phoenix Ins. Co. v. Gray, 113 Ga. 424, 430 (38 S. E. 992).

2. While a court of record lias plenary control of its judgments during the term at which they are rendered (Jones v. Garage Equipment Co. 16 Ga. App. 596, 85 S. E. 940), still it is mandatory that they shall in all cases conform to the true meaning and intent of the verdict. Southern Ry. Co. v. Oliver, 1 Ga. App. 734 (5) (58 S. E. 244) ; Mangel v. White Crown Fruit Jar Co., 20 Ga. App. 339 (93 S. E. 307). Thus, in a suit on a note, where the plea filed is that of complete payment, and where a verdict is rendered in favor of tlio defendant, it is beyond tlie power of the judge, either in term time or thereafter, to enter up a judgment in favor of the plaintiff in a named amount, although the evidence! of the defendant himself in support of his plea of payment might have demanded such a verdict. It was the duty of the judge on motion to set the verdict aside, as being contrary to evidence.

Judgment reversed.

Stephens and Smith, JJ., concur.