{ "id": 8602488, "name": "E. H. McCORKLE, ROBERT L. McCORKLE and SARA L. McCORKLE v. KEITH M. BEATTY and Wife, KATHLEEN BEATTY", "name_abbreviation": "McCorkle v. Beatty", "decision_date": "1945-05-02", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "178", "last_page": "182", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "225 N.C. 178" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "23 A. L. R., 1491", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "109 S. E., 56", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "182 N. C., 339", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655967 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/182/0339-01" ] }, { "cite": "95 S. E., 659", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "175 N. C., 383", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659503 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/175/0383-01" ] }, { "cite": "12 S. E., 242", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "107 N. C., 128", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11272738 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "136" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/107/0128-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 514, "char_count": 11096, "ocr_confidence": 0.47, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.8331548683566623e-07, "percentile": 0.7210169395976368 }, "sha256": "389488ad16cbce85d3ed92f003b7cfa9625b4ef8efadb9016f5dc986f72f5140", "simhash": "1:9fc7a583b8bc69c1", "word_count": 1918 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:52:44.450219+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "E. H. McCORKLE, ROBERT L. McCORKLE and SARA L. McCORKLE v. KEITH M. BEATTY and Wife, KATHLEEN BEATTY." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Seawell, J.\nWe think that plaintiffs\u2019 exception to the instruction given to the jury as to the weight and sufficiency of the evidence required to carry the burden of the issue must be sustained.\nIn a jurisdiction like ours, where the Seventh Section of the English Statute of Frauds, requiring the creation of trusts to be manifested in writing, has not been enacted, parol trusts may be imposed upon the legal title upon proof of an oral promise to hold in trust for the promisee; and parol evidence to prove such a trust is admitted \u201cnot to contradict the deed, but to bind the party to the trust which he undertook in accepting the deed.\u201d 26 R. C. L., Trusts, sec. 41. However, the theory of admission of parol evidence in such cases is often confusingly stated, and the intensity of the proof required to establish such a trust is referred to the fact that it does tend to contradict the written instrument. Hinton v. Pritchard, 107 N. C., 128, 136, 12 S. E., 242. The propriety of applying the rule to cases of this sort is perhaps most satisfactorily explained in Boone v. Lee, 175 N. C., 383, 95 S. E., 659, as arising out of the theory that the written instrument contains the final expression of the agreement between the parties, and that one who seeks to show otherwise should be required to do so by higher degree of proof than a mere preponderance of the evidence.\nAt any rate, it is the rule here, and prevails with practical uniformity elsewhere, that the establishment of parol trusts is required to be by evidence \u201cclear, strong and convincing,\u201d or of similar character, as variously expressed. See Lefkowitz v. Silver, 182 N. C., 339, 109 S. E., 56, 23 A. L. R., 1491; also, annotations to case beginning on page 1500.\nOrdinarily, in civil matters, the burden of the issue is required to be carried only by the preponderance or greater weight of the evidence; but in his definition of the preponderance of the evidence, his Honor defined this to be \u201cevidence which is of greater or superior weight or that gives greater assurance and carries conviction to the minds of the jury\u201d; and further defined evidence, clear, strong and convincing, as follows r \u201cClear, strong and convincing evidence means evidence that is clearer, stronger, more cogent and convincing in its character and weight than that required in ordinary civil eases where the burden of proof is satisfied by the greater weight or preponderance of the evidence.\u201d\nWhile it is conceded that a stricter degree of evidence is required in cases of this character, we are of the opinion that the terms used to define the intensity of the evidence required in the instant case are not susceptible of separate, analytical comparison with the greater weight of the evidence, especially as defined by his Honor. We think the terms of comparison used, particularly that the evidence should be clearer than that employed in cases where preponderance of the evidence is sufficient to carry the burden, goes beyond the simple requirement that the plaintiffs must prevail by evidence clear, strong and convincing, ratber than by mere preponderance of the evidence, and must have been confusing to the jury.\nWe have not thought it necessary to consider other exceptions, which refer to incidents which may not recur upon a retrial.\nFor the error pointed out, the plaintiffs are entitled to a new trial. It is so ordered.\nNew trial.", "type": "majority", "author": "Seawell, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Uhlman S. Alexander and Robinson & Jones for plaintiffs, appellants.", "Joe W. Ervin and W. C. Davis for defendants, appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "E. H. McCORKLE, ROBERT L. McCORKLE and SARA L. McCORKLE v. KEITH M. BEATTY and Wife, KATHLEEN BEATTY.\n(Filed 2 May, 1945.)\n1. Trusts \u00a7 lb\u2014\nParol trusts may be imposed upon tbe legal title on proof of an oral promise to bold in trust for tbe promisee; and parol evidence to prove sucb a trust is admitted not to contradict tbe deed, but to bind tbe party to tbe trust wbicb be undertook in accepting tbe deed.\n2. Same\u2014\nTbe establishment of parol trusts is required to be by evidence clear, strong and convincing. Tbis rule arises out of tbe theory that the written instrument contains tbe final expression of the agreement between the parties, and one who seeks to show otherwise should be required to do so by higher degree of proof than a mere preponderance of the evidence.\n3. Same\u2014\nIn a suit to fasten a parol trust upon a deed on its face in fee, where there is evidence of the trust for tbe plaintiff and contra for defendant, it is error for the court to charge that the preponderance of the evidence is defined to be evidence which is of greater or superior weight or that gives greater assurance and carries conviction to the minds of the jury, followed by tbe statement that the clear, strong and convincing evidence, required of plaintiff, means evidence that is clearer, stronger and more cogent and convincing in its character and weight than that required in ordinary civil oases where the burden of proof is satisfied by the greater weight or preponderance of the evidence.\nAppeal by plaintiffs from Blaclcstoclc, Special Judge, at 4 September, 1944, Extra Civil Term, of MecKLENbubg.\nTbe plaintiffs brought tbis action to impose a parol trust on lands to wbicb tbe defendants bad title by a deed in fee, allegedly acquired while tbe defendant Beatty was in fiduciary relation to tbe plaintiffs and under a promise to bold tbe title for their benefit. Tbe defendant Beatty denied that there was any sucb fiduciary relation between him and tbe plaintiffs or that be bad made tbe alleged promise.\nTbe case went to tbe jury, and tbe answer to tbe issue was unfavorable to tbe plaintiffs. Tbe validity of tbe trial was challenged in several respects, only one of which we deem it necessary to consider : The exception to the instruction to the jury as to the weight and sufficiency of plaintiffs evidence as hereinafter set out.\nThe evidence pertinent to this exception may be summarized as follows :\nOne of the plaintiffs, E. H. McCorkle, testified that at the time of the transaction between plaintiffs and defendant Beatty, the property described in the complaint had been conveyed by deed of trust to the Building and Loan Association of Charlotte to secure a note made by the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs were unable to meet the payments, and upon default, the property was advertised and sold 15 September, 1941, at which sale T. S. McPheeters became the last and highest bidder at the sum of $6,000; later, Dorothy A. Krueger raised the bid, and it was resold 20 October, 1941, at her upset bid for $6,300, and this bid had been reported to the court for.confirmation.\nMeanwhile, the plaintiffs had been diligently seeking some means to satisfy the deed of trust and save the property, but had been unable thus far to secure a loan. While the sale to Krueger was awaiting confirmation, the witness, in behalf of himself and other plaintiffs, approached the defendant Beatty for help in protecting the property for the benefit of all the plaintiffs.\nAt that time E. H. McOorkle had a contract with the Government to clean suits and articles of apparel for the personnel of the Army, upon which $10,000 was due him, payment of which was expected shortly. He testified that he proposed to the defendant Beatty that the latter would raise the Krueger bid, which would give the plaintiffs some more time to secure means to save the property; that he and the defendant Beatty came to the following agreement: That defendant Beatty would furnish the money and raise the bid in his own name, and that if the plaintiffs were able to get the money before the sale of the property and the confirmation of the bid, the defendant was to be paid $25.00 for his trouble; but if defendant had to carry out the bid and take the property, he would hold it meantime for the plaintiffs until they were able to reimburse him for his expenditures in the premises, when the title should be conveyed to them. He further testified that in accordance with this promise, the defendant did furnish the money to raise the bid by check which was handed to the witness and which he carried to the payee, Taylor, and which was used for that purpose. He further testified that they were unable to get the money before the property was sold upon the defendant Beatty\u2019s bid, the sale confirmed and the deed made to Beatty; and that although he stands ready, willing and able to reimburse Beatty and carry out the contract which he alleges was made with the defendant, Beatty now claims the property as his own and refuses to permit the plaintiffs the enjoyment thereof.\nDefendant Beatty testified that McCorkle came to him and requested him to raise the bid on the land, and offered $25.00 if he would raise the bid for him, but that he thought there was too much money involved and so told the plaintiff McCorkle; that he later told him then that he, Beatty, could raise the bid for himself, which the latter said he would do. Defendant Beatty further testified that the agreement was that he should raise the bid for himself, and that if plaintiffs could not pay off the mortgage or re-raise the bid before the sale time, the land should be the defendant\u2019s; and that plaintiff told him \u201che would have the best buy in i Charlotte.\u201d Witness said that he never at any time agreed to bid in the property and hold it for McCorkle or the plaintiffs.\nThe defendant Beatty offered several witnesses in corroboration of his version of the agreement.\nUpon this conflicting evidence, the trial judge instructed the jury, inter alia, as follows :\n\u201c(a) The general rule is that, in civil matters, the burden of proof is usually carried by a preponderance of the evidence or by the greater weight, meaning evidence which is of greater or superior weight or that gives greater assurance and carries conviction to the minds of the jury, but under an issue such as the one we are considering, where plaintiffs propose to obtain relief against the apparent forc\u00e9 and effect of a written instrument, a deed, the burden of proof is on plaintiffs to establish their allegations in respect to this issue by evidence, clear, strong and convincing. Clear, strong and convincing evidence means evidence that is clearer, stronger, more cogent and convincing in its character and weight than that required in ordinary civil cases where the burden of proof is satisfied by the greater weight or preponderance of the evidence.\n\u201c(g) Now, by the 'greater weight of the evidence\u2019 is meant that evidence which is of greater or superior weight, or is more convincing, and brings conviction to the minds of the jury.\u201d\nTo this plaintiffs excepted.\nThe following issue was submitted to. the jury, and answered as indicated :\n\u201cDoes the defendant, Keith Beatty, hold the legal title to the property described in the Complaint in trust for the benefit of the plaintiffs, as alleged in the Complaint?\n\u201cAnswer: No.\u201d\nThe plaintiffs moved to set aside the verdict for errors committed in the trial. The motion was denied, and plaintiffs excepted. To the ensuing judgment, plaintiffs objected, excepted and appealed, assigning errors.\nUhlman S. Alexander and Robinson & Jones for plaintiffs, appellants.\nJoe W. Ervin and W. C. Davis for defendants, appellees." }, "file_name": "0178-01", "first_page_order": 226, "last_page_order": 230 }