Brower v. Cothran

74 Ga. 383, 1885 Ga. LEXIS 313

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: January 6, 1885
• Status: Published

Opinion

Jackson, Chief Justice.

[In this case, Judge Brown, of the Cherokee circuit, presided; the testimony and charge of the court, being long, could not be obtained immediately from the stenographer; and Judge Brown intended to leave next day, another judge holding court the next week. Counsel for defendant,, against whom the verdict was rendered, took the following order:

“The above stated case having been tried at this term, and the defendant, A. T. IT. Brower, being dissatisfied with the verdict and decree, and desiring to make a motion, for a new trial, and the evidence being voluminous, it is, on motion of counsel for said Brower-, ordered by the court that he be allowed until the first Monday in May next to make out and file such motion, together with a brief of the evidence, and that pending said motion, the decree rendered on said trial be superseded; and that the movant serve upon counsel for the complainant a copy of said motion by the fourth Monday in March next, and that, as soon as the stenographer makes out the oral evidence, the same be filed in the clerk’s office, subject to the inspection of both parties; and that such motion be set for hearing before the lion. James R. Brown on that date at Canton, Georgia, or at such other time and place as the said judge may appoint, the parties having due notice.”

When the motion was called, counsel for plaintiff moved to dismiss it, as not made in-term'time, and because service had not been perfected as reijtíiréd in the order. This motion was overruled, and exception was taken thereto. The Supreme Court reversed the judgment below. (See 71 Ga., 357.) The’■ motion for new trial also was overruled, and defendant.excepted, but, on the'making of the ruling just stated, he withdrew his bill of exceptions, “ without prejudice,” by permission of the court.

Counsel for Brower thereupon amended the motion for new trial, alleging the reason why the motion was not made in term time, and praying that it be then heard. This motion came on before Hon. R. R. Harris, judge of the city court of Floyd county, who presided instead of Judge Branham, who was disqualified.. He held that the case was res adjudicata^ under the ruling of the Supreme Court, and dismissed the motion. Brower excepted.

Counsel for Brower made an extraordinary motion for new trial, alleging substantially the same reasons therefor as above stated; and that the order was taken in accordance Avith the usual practice in the court, Avas not a consent order, and was taken with the belief, on the part of counsel and the presiding judge, that it was sufficient. This extraordinary motion was dismissed, on motion, and movant excepted.]