90 S.E. 516 | N.C. | 1916
The complaint set forth a cause of action to set aside a deed for land on the ground of fraud and undue influence. By amendment, a clause was added to correct the deed, on allegations that the same, absolute in terms, was intended by the parties as a mortgage and that the clause of redemption had been omitted by mistake. There was general denial in the answer and, on issues submitted, the jury rendered the following verdict:
1. In the execution of the deed referred to in the complaint, was the clause of redemption omitted by ignorance or mutual mistake of the parties? Answer: "Yes."
2. Was the deed intended by all the parties to be a security only for the debt? Answer: "Yes."
3. Was the deed referred to in the complaint obtained from Aaron Johnson by fraud or undue influence on the part of the defendants? Answer: "No."
4. Was the deed referred to in the complaint obtained by fraud or undue influence from Eliza Johnson on the part of the defendants? Answer: "No."
Judgment on the verdict declaring the deed a mortgage and giving plaintiff right to redeem, etc.
Defendant excepted and appealed.
It is the established principle in this State that when the purpose of the suit is to correct a written deed by reason of the mutual mistake of the parties or the mistake of one induced by the fraud of the other, plaintiff is required to establish his position by clear, strong, and convincing proof; but when a party seeks to set aside a deed for fraud or undue influence or for mental incapacity and the like, he is only required to make good his allegations by the greater weight of the evidence, as in ordinary civil issues. This distinction, announced and fully discussed inHarding v. Long,
In Glenn's case the principle and the practical application of (532) it determining the issues is stated as follows: "It is the established position in this State that where a defendant holds under a deed formally conveying to him the legal title to real property, and a claimant is seeking to correct a mistake in the instrument or annex a condition to it or engraft a trust upon it, he is required to make out his claim by clear, strong, and convincing proof (Cedar Works v. Lumber Co.,
In the present case the court, in either aspect of the case and in reference to both sets of issues, charged the jury that plaintiff was only required to establish his position by the greater weight of the evidence, a charge to which exceptions were duly taken and which was erroneous as to the two issues on the question of correcting the mistake, the issues that were answered against the defendant. *584
For the error indicated, defendant is entitled to a new trial, and the same is allowed on all of the issues.
New trial.
Cited: Lloyd v. Speight,
(533)