117 Wash. 663 | Wash. | 1921
Appellant bank commissioner sued the respondent and his co-maker on a promissory note given to the bank, which is now being liquidated by the appellant. The wives of the makers' of the note were also made parties.
There was substantial evidence, if believed by the jury, to establish the case of respondent. Appellant cites Fishburne v. Robinson, 49 Wash. 271, 95 Pac. 80, but in that case there was no testimony to justify the submission of the defense to the jury. Appellant also cites 30 Cyc., pages 1290-1292, to the effect that the burden of proof, upon the plea of payment, is upon the defendant. This is the law, but the question of whether it has been made is one for the jury. It is also there stated that, -where the evidence is equally balanced, the plaintiff is entitled to recover. There are two cases cited in support of this text, in both of which it was held that this is a proper instruction to give, but in neither of them is it held that the verdict of the jury would be disturbed, and in one of them (Mullally v. Dingman, 62 Neb. 702, 87 N. W. 543) it is expressly held that the question is for the jury.
The judgment appealed from is affirmed.
Parker, C. J., Main, Holcomb, and Bridges, JJ., concur.