Settle by and Through Sullivan v. Beasley

MARTIN, Justice.

The central question in this appeal is whether plaintiff is barred by collateral estoppel from pursuing this action. The materials before the court at the summary judgment hearing disclosed that a prior action had been brought against defendant in Johnston County about 20 December 1977, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 49-14, to establish the paternity of John Wesley Settle. This action was brought in the name of plaintiff s mother, Frances Settle, by the Child Support Enforcement Agency of Johnston County and its attorney, W. A. Holland, Jr. In that action, defendant denied he was the…