Fidelity & Deposit Co. of Maryland v. Palmer

This is an action on a promissory note made by defendant Gardner T. Palmer, payable on demand to the order of the plaintiff and indorsed by his wife, the defendant Lucille J. Palmer, *56and by his father, the defendant Jerome B. Palmer. Jerome Palmer alone defended the action. In his answer, Jerome Palmer set up the defenses that his indorsement was obtained through duress: that the note was given to compound a felony; and that presentment, demand and notice of protest thereof were not timely. Trial of the issues was commenced before the court sitting with a jury. At the close of the proofs,…