Burnham v. Butler

58 N.H. 568

• Court: Supreme Court of New Hampshire
• Decided: March 5, 1879
• Status: Published

Opinion

Smith, J.

Evidence which proves to have been improperly admitted may be stricken out, under proper instructions to the jury; and it is a question of fact, to be determined at the trial term, when this may be done. Judge of Probate v. Stone, 41 N. H. 598, 607; Zollar v. Janvrin, 47 N. H. 324, 326; Harris v. Holmes, 30 Vt. 352. In his knowledge of the trial, the presiding justice has better means of deciding the question of fact than others can have who were not at the trial. Fuller v. Bailey, 58 N. H. 71, 72; Hamaker v. Eberley, 2 Binn. 506, 510. If it appears to him, after verdict, that the jury have been prejudiced by the objectionable evidence, he is warranted in setting the verdict aside.

Case discharged.

Stanley, J., did not sit: the others concurred.