41 Miss. 563 | Miss. | 1867
delivered the opinion of the court.
(Jorren commenced a suit by attachment against Ella J. Yin-cent. The writ contained at the foot a direction to the officer
The writ of error is prosecuted by the garnishees only.
The return of service of the writ on the original defendant, Yincent, was defective. In regard to attachments as to all other original process, the rules prescribed by articles 63 and 64, Rev. Code, 489, prevail, and the sheriff must show in what manner he executed the writ.
But this is not an error of which the garnishees can complain. It is a good judgment against the defendant, until reversed in a direct proceeding by her for that purpose, as the return purports to show a service upon her, and it is only the form of the return that is defective. It is regular in attachment cases to take judgments, on proper publication or notice, at the return term. It is so expressly provided in art. 150, Rev. Code, 503, and so is the whole tenor of the attachment act. The judgment cannot, therefore, be reversed as to the original defendant, or for any error to her prejudice merely.
But the return of service of process on the garnishees is also defective. It is as important to show in what manner they were summoned, as in what manner the writ was executed on the other parties. Ordinarily, no process issues against the garnishees except in proceedings after judgment, but the sheriff is required to summon as garnishees, all persons in whose hands he attaches money or effects of the defendant, to appear at the court to which the writ is returnable, there to answer on oath, &c. He is then to endorse “ a written statement of his proceedings ” on the writ. This requirement is not fulfilled by a
■ For the insufficient return in regard- to the garnishees the judgment against them will be reversed, and the cause remanded.