Fairchild v. Bascomb

35 Vt. 398

• Court: Supreme Court of Vermont
• Decided: November 15, 1862
• Status: Published

Opinion

Aldis, J.

The more important points, raised upon the argument, were as to the questions put to Dr. Kockwell as a profess sional witness in regard to the insanity of the testatrix.

There is no question but that in this case the opinion of am expert was admissible upon the question of insanity; and that such a witness might testify as to the nature and symptoms of insanity and monomania; and as to the -facts proved by other witnesses tending to show insanity, whether-they, if true, did or did not indicate partial or total insanity, — whether they indicated a state of continuous insanity, or one with lucid intervals occurring; — and whether the facts proved by other witnesses-tending to show the deceased to have been sane during the same period, were reconcilable with the idea of insanity, and might have existed as proven, and yet the party exhibiting such appa-rent manifestations of sanity have at the time been insane. It is precisely in regard to such matters that the skill of an expert is needed. So too it is not questioned that the witness might and ought to have stated the grounds of his opinion, — for the value of such opinions depends greatly upon the good sense andi accuracy of the reasons given for them.-

Neither is it claimed that the expert had the right to give any , •opinion upon the evidence — or as to the preponderance of evidence — or whether the facts submitted to him for his opinion were or were not true.

Neither, we think, can it now be questioned that hypothetical questions may be put to such a witness, -when the hypothesis supposes a state of facts proved, or which may be fairly claimed ■to be proved by the evidence of other witnesses. Such has been the practice in this State. It is the practice in other States and in England ; and it is a matter of convenience and often of necessity. But the plaintiff objected to the first and last questions put to Dr. Rockwell, upon several grounds which we will now ■consider.

I. It is claimed that the subject, to which the first question .pointed, is not a matter of professional science and skill, — that ■it is one upon which the opinion of an unprofessional person is .just as good as that of a physician ; — that it was not an inquiry ■as to symptoms indicating insanity, but as to the effect of pulmonary disease, nervous derangement and general debility upon the mental capacity of a person of sound mind.

On the part of the defendants it is claimed that the facts stated in the question related directly to the insanity of the person.

The question does not present the case of an insane person, but of one who has been sick with '■ pulmonary disease, nervous ■derangement and general debility.” The phrase “ nervous derangement” is claimed as indicating insanity. It attends insanity, but often exists where persons are of sound mind. The words, as used in the question and interpreted by the context, •preclude the idea that that nervous derangement was meant which amounts to insanity-.

The question therefore only supposes the case of a sick woman of sound mind, who for four years had been sick with pulmonary disease, nervous derangement and general debility, who on a given day is very low, grows worse, gradually sinks and dies at 2 P. M.; and, upon this state of facts, inquires whether at two hours before death she would possess sufficient mental capacity to transact business. The question is not whether the disease would produce derangement of the mind at two hours before death but whether by the progress of that disease as indicated' by the symptoms stated, her mental capacity would become sc impaired or enfeebled that she would not have mind enough left to transact common business.

Persons who are much accustomed to attend upon the sick — - to watch the progress of diseases to their end and to be with the dying, are by their experience enabled to form a better judgment as to the course of disease and its probable effect upon the body and mind in the last hours of life than others who have no such opportunity. Physicians who are in general practice and nurses thus become experts in such matters, so far as experience and observation can furnish knowledge. In some diseases there is a much greater uniformity in their effect upon the mind and in the symptoms which immediately precede death, than in others,. Thus in apoplexy, inflammation of the brain and other acute dis-' eases directly affecting that organ, the physiciun would expect disturbance or destruction of the mental powers throughout the sickness and without intermission up to the time of death. In others, as in some fevers, the mind might wander throughout the' violence of the fever, but upon its abatement and for a short time before death be restored to clearness and strength. Doubtless-in by far the greatest number of maladies the mind is usually but little if at all affected by disease* and the most skilful physician-is wholly unable to tell beforehand how long the sick man will retain his faculties and whether he will or will not have his reason to the- last. But it can not be questioned after all that large experience and observation in such matters enable one to-judge better than Ordinary observers as to the indications of spe-cified symptoms and the probable progress and effect of diseases upon the mind, and to determine what diseases and what symp--toms indicate such effects, and what do not.

We think therefore that whether “, pulmonary disease, nervous derangement and general debility” would, in the progress of the' disease as indicated by the facts stated in the question impair the mental powers at two hours before' death, is a matter upon which the opinion of a physician, accustomed to attend such cases to their termination, might properly be admitted in evidence. New persons without the aid of the knowledge derived from phy-sicians and nurses would be able to form an opinion on the subject. In most cases, however, there is so little uniformity in the effects of diseases upon the mind just before death that the mere opinion of a physician as to the matter would obviously be evidence greatly inferior in value to the actual observation of an intelligent bystander.

It is further objected that the witness was an expert only upon the subject of insanity, and that this was an inquiry as to a disease as to which it was not shown that Dr. Rockwell had the skill and knowledge which would make him an expert. It is plain that the professional witness can be allowed to give his opinion only upon those very matters in which he is shown to have special knowledge and skill. As to all other matters he stands in the position of ordinary witnesses, who are not allowed to give their opinion upon facts proved by other evidence.

The People v. Rector, 19 Wend. 576 ; C. J. Tindal in Ramadge v. Ryan, 9 Bing. 333; Rambler v. Tryon, 7 Serg. & R. 90; Dunham’s Appeal, 27 Conn. 192; Heald v. Thing, 45 Maine 392.

It appears from the case that Dr. Rockwell was by education and profession a physician and surgeon, and that for more than thirty years he had devoted his attention almost exclusively to the treatment of patients suffering from mental maladies.

When a physician thus devotes himself to a specialty in his profession, it is obvious'that his skill and knowledge in those departments of his profession which he does not practice, must be much less than those of physicians who do study aad practice in them, and be of but little value as a guide to unprofessionsl persons. Especially is this to be considered, when as in this case, the inquiry is as to the effect of disease in its last stages in impairing the mental powers of persons of sound mind, when it would seem that the witness could have had little or no experience or practice in ordinary diseases affecting such persons ; and no evidence appears to have been given that he in fact had ever treated the disease in question, or observed its effects in its last stages Upon persons of sound mind. The mere fact that a person was by education a physician, if he had not practised his profession, we should not deem sufficient to justify his admission as an expert. So if he devoted himself exclusively to one branch of his profession and had had no practical experience in that subject matter to which he was called to testify — as if an oculist was called to' testify about insanity — we should not deem him admissible. We feel that such considerations have much force in regard to this inquiry put to Dr. Rockwell, and the effect of his answer to it upon this case. As the case must be opened upon other grounds we do not pass upon this point.

II. It is said that the facts assumed to be true in the last, question put to Dr. R> could not all be true : — that the evidence was conflicting. We have examined such minutes of the testimony as have been furnished us, though they are not the Judge’s minutes and are imperfect.

The plaintiff’s testimony tends to show that Mrs. Clark was sane, had correct ideas as to the amount and disposition of her property, and this up to the time she made her will.

The defendant’s testimony tends to show she was insane, and especially in regard to her property. But nene of the plaintiff ’s witnesses were present upon the occasions testified to by the witnesses for the defence — nor were any of the defendant’s witnesses present upon the occasion, testified to by the plaintiff’s witnesses. It is possible therefore that all the facts tc which they testified on both sides may have been true ; although it is somewhat difficult .to believe that the same woman, at periods of time near to each other, when talking upon the same subject, — • her property, — and that the subject on -which she is alleged to have been insane, should have talked to one set of witnesses rationally and to the other wildly and insanely. It is possible that she might have been insane, and yet while talking with the plaintiffs’ witnesses have appeared sane, or sane, and have ap* peared insane to the defendants’ witnesses. Hence the hypothesis of the question may'be true. But if all the faGts so testified to on both sides are true, then the opinion that Mrs. Clark was insane must rest upon the ground that the indicia of sanity were consistent and reconcilable "with her being insane at the very time. It was proper for the witness to give his opinion on this point; to state from his knowledge how deranged persons assume the appearance of sanity even when talking upon the subject upon which they are insane ; and from what motives of Causes, and to what extent and under what circumstances, they will so appear, and how likely this is to happen. He might point out why the manifestations of sanity might not be conclusive as to her being .sane, and how and why such appearances might be reconcilable with her insanity.

It is claimed that the question went further and demanded of him an opinion upon the whole case equivalent to the -finding of a verdict by the jury.

The question supposed that the whole evidence bearing upon the issue of insanity on both sides was true, and, upon the whole case thus summed up, asked him to give his opinion as to her mental condition. It is obvious that this is all that a jury could do, upon that basis. It is saying not only that the facts tending to show her sane may be accounted for and reconciled with the idea of her being insane, but that they are reasonably to be so accounted for. ' The answer of the witness shows this : “ I think her insane, for it is impossible to reconcile her conduct as testified to by defendants’ witnesses with the idea of her not beiug insane at the time of the willthat is, that the evidence to show her insane is so strong that he considers it conclusive on the point — preponderates decidedly over the evidence- to show her sane ; and that the proofs for the plaintiffs’ must be accounted for as consistent with her insanity, as the other evidence can not be reconciled with’ her sanity. It seems to us to be really asking the witness for his opinion as to the preponderance of the evidence. A recurrence to the evidence seems to us to make this obvious. The plaintiffs’ evidence tended to show that but a short time before her death she retained counsel and instituted proceedings to remove Linus Bascomb from the guardianship which she claimed he had got by fraud. In these consultations with her counsel and in her examination at the inquest as a witness upon the subject of her property and her relations to her brothers in regard to it — points upon which she is claimed to have been insane, she is said to have testified correctly and rationally and to have shown no signs of insanity, and to have so continued sane to the time of her will and her death. The defendants evidence was that her condition at the inquest was fair, but that John W. Bascomb stood near lier when testifying- and shook his head at her and expressed his feelings in other ways. It is obvious that the defendants would claim as a fair inference from this evidence that John W. Bascomb’s influence upon her at the inquest, and in regard to the litigation, made her appear sane at and about that time; and thus these different appearances of Mrs. Clark could be reconciled, and yet she be insane. But this would of course be contested by the plaintiffs. Now Dr. Rockwell’s answer to the question goes upon the hypothesis that the appearances of sanity were true and yet reconcilable with insanity. How reconcilable ? He does not say. But it seems to us that the witness in order to so reconcile them, must have determined in his own mind that she was influenced to assume a sane appearance by John W. Bascomb from the motive to thereby prevail in the litigation with Linus. And thus the question involved the necessity of the witness finding a controverted fact in order to reconcile conflicting evidence and give his professional opinion. This was not permissible to the witness, it was only for the jury.

Upon the question, whether a medical witness called to hear the testimony and to testify, may give his opinion, upon the facts testified to by other witnesses, as to the insanity of the party, the authorities do not seem to be agreed.

In The Commonwealth v. Rogers, 7 Met. 500, Shaw, Ch. J., seems to consider such an opinion admissible ;'„yet this decision is accompanied with the caution that the witness is not to judge of the truth of the facts testified to by others.

In The People v. Lake, 12 N. Y. 358, Hand, J., suggests that the witness ought not to give such general opinion upon the case. He says, “ Before the questions upon matters of science can arise, the witness must determine in his own mind upon the truth of the evidence which he has heard; which is not a matter of science but of fact for the jury. ■ But he may be asked whether such and such appearances were symptoms of insanity, and Whether such a fact, if it exist, is or is not an indication of insanity. Upon principle it may be doubted whether, strictly, medical witnesses should ever give an opinion upon the general question of the sanity or insanity of a prisoner, as that is a question for the jury.” The decision of that case did not turn upon that point; and it may be observed that the authorities cited da not seem fully to sustain the opinion expressed. In Dorman v. Wells, 17 Wend. 161, Judge Cowan remarks, “ I know that in questions of insanity some courts allow witnesses to throw in their opinions from what they have seen and heard. But I always found that such cases were much better tried where opinions were kept entirely out of view; and I have generally excluded them except where they came from professional men.” He cites from Folks v. Chad, 3 Doug. 157, the language of Lord Mansfield that the opinions of scientific men, deduced from facts which are not disputed, are admissible. In Mayor of N. Y. v. Pentz, 24 Wend. 672, Senator Verplanck in a very admirable opinion recognizes the admissibility of such evidence, upon the ground that “ scientific opinion is in fact testimony to a law of nature.”

In Massachusetts the earlier decisions do not disagree with the opinion of Shaw, Ch. J., in Rogers’ case.

In Hathorn v. King, 8 Mass. 371, the facts were in some respects like the case at bar. The scrivener was called in at 11 A. M. The testatrix was then very low, continued sinking till 6 P. M., when she made the will, and died at a quarter past 8 o’clock in the evening. The opinion of her attending physicians as to the soundness of her mind, founded upon circumstances and symptoms they observed, were held admissible. No other question was presented by the case.

In Dickinson v. Barber, 9 Mass. 227, the depositions of medical men stating opinions but no facts were rejected. The Court observed that “ the opinions of professional gentlemen are not to be received as evidence unless predicated upon facts testified either by them or by others.”

The case of Davis v. Mason, 4 Pick. 156, may be referred to as illustrating the ground upon which the opinions of experts upon the point at issue are admitted. The question was whether certain heaps of stones and marked trees were monuments of boundaries. A skilful surveyor testified to their appearance. He was then asked his opinion whether they were or were not boundaries. This was objected to as matter solely for the jury. The Court held the opinion competent evidence, because by long experience he had acquired skill in determining the question submitted to him. The witness might have told how heaps of stones and marked trees, designed as monuments of boundaries, usually appear and then have described the appearance of these, and then have stopped without giving his opinion. But the opinion of a skilful person, founded upon facts seen by himself, often embodies the result of facts and observations which it is difficult to describe, and which can in no way be so satisfactorily and naturally expressed as by giving his opinion. But when the facts’are stated by another, there seems to be less reason and necessity for stating opinion raerelv; as all the facts stated to the witness can be by him stated singly or together, with the effect which they ought to have, as proofs, upon- the issue.

In The U. S. v. McGlue, 1 Curtis, C. C. R. 1, physicians were not allowed to give their opinions upon the case, but only upon known or hypothetical states of fact warranted by the evidence ; because, says the learned judge, “the case, on which any one might give his opinion, might not be the case which the jury, upon the evidence, would find.

In Spear v. Richardson, 37 N. H. 24, the court hold that the true rule and uniform practice in New Hampshire is that the expert may not give his opinion upon the case, as shown upon the proof; but may upon a state of facts, such as the evidence tends to establish, hypothetically stated.

In Buffum v. Harris, 5 R. I. 243, the experts, gave their opinions upon the point at issue, bt% founded upon their own knowledge of facts and upon facts state’<|, by others. The question was as to the percolation of water through the soil from a spring — the experts knowing the soil augl having knowledge as to the percolation of water through diffeEl.nt soils, and assuming other material facts hypothetically. 'Iff

In England the following authorities bear upon the question. Rex v. Wright, 1 Russ. & Ryan, 466, is a Crown case reserved for •the consideration of.the twelve judges,_ in which “several of the judges doubted whether the witness could be asked his opinion on the very point which the jury were to decide, viz: whether from the other testimony given in the case the act was in his opinion an act of insanity.” Such a question, in that case, was just equivalent to asking the opinion of the witness upon the testimony as to the mental condition of the prisoner.

In Gills v. Brown, 9 Carr. & Payne, a case of collision upon the Thames,' a sea captain was not allowed to say whether the conduct of the captain of the brig was right; but his opinion was obtained by asking him what was the duty of a captain under certain specified circumstances.

In Malton v. Nesbit, 1 Carr. & Payne 70, case for negligence in managing a vessel — the plaintiff’s counsel wished to ask the witness, whether, supposing the facts proved to have occurred, they showed negligence in the captain. Scarlett . objected. Abbott, Ch. J., held that the plaintiff’s counsel might state to the witness what had been done, and might ask him if an officer of competent skill would have done so. •

In Fenwich v. Bell, 1 C. & K. 312, a case of collision, this question was allowed: “ whether, if the facts proved by the plaintiff be true, he was of opinion that a collision could have been avoided by proper care on the part of the defendants.”

In Jameson v. Drinkald, 12 Moore 157, the witness may state to what cause the accident is attributable, but not whether the fault was on one side or the other.

In this state, in Lester v. Pittsford, 7 Vt. 158, Judge Phelps says, where mere opinion is required upon a given state of facts, that opinion is to be derived from professional men.

In Morse v. Crawford, 17 Vt. 500, it is held as well settled in this state that a witness not a professional man, may give his opinion touching the insanity of a party, when it is founded upon facts within his own knowledge.

In Greenleaf on Evidence § 440, the author thus sums up the present state of the law on this subject: “ The opinions of medical men are constantly admitted as to the sane or insane state of a person’s mind, as collected from a number of circumstances, though founded not on personal observation, but on the case itself, as proved by other witnesses on the trial. They can not give their opinions as to the general merits of the cause, but only upon the facts proved. And if the facts are doubtful, and remain to be found by the jury, it has been held improper to ask an expert, who has heard the evidence, what is his opinion upon the case on trial; though he may be -asked his opinion -upon a similar case, hypothetically stated.”

A study of the various cases will show that the form of the question is modified and shaped by the courts; - whether it states facts, or puts facts hypothetically, -or refers to the testimony of witnesses as being true ; so as to give the witness no occasion or opportunity to decide upon the evidence, or mingle his own opinion of the facts, as shown by the evidence, with the facts upon which he is to express a professional opinion. This is the important point, and to secure this, various forms of inquiry have been adopted. Hypothetical questions may be so put as to require the witness to decide upon the evidence, to determine which side preponderates, and to find conclusions from the evidence, in order to reconcile conflicting facts. Such questions, though hypothetical, are as clearly improper, as if they directly sought the opinion of the witness on the merits of the case. Hence, in framing such questions, care should be taken not to involve so much, or so many facts in them, that the witness will be obliged in his own mind to settle other disputed facts in order to give his answer. Such, as we have already intimated, was the error of the last question put to Dr. Rockwell.

We have no doubt that a medical witness who has heard the testimony, may give his opinion, as to the sanity or insanity of a party, as indicated by any given state of facts, so long as such facts are warranted by the evidence, and are not conflicting. In some cases all the facts bearing on the issue might be summed up in a single question. But when facts on one side conflict with facts on the other, they ought not to be incorporated in one question, but the attention of the witness should be called to their opposing tendencies, and if his skill or knowledge can furnish the explanation which harmonizes them, he is at liberty to state it. Then the jury can know all the facts and grounds on which the opinion is based.

III. What is sufficient capacity to transact business, or to make a will, is a matter of law, depending somewhat upon the nature of the business. A witness may not correctly apprehend the rule of law, and if he uses such expressions may be misled himself, or may mislead the jury. Hence the question should be framed so as to require him to state the measure of the testator’s capacity in his own language, and by such ordinary terms or forms of expression as will best convey his own ideas of the matter ; or, to use Judge Ruffin’s expression in Crowell v. Kirk, 3 Dev. 358, to state the degree of intelligence or imbecility “ in the best -way he can.”-

IV. We think the evidence to show that Hathaway’s mind was still affected by a severe disease of the brain he had had ,a year previous, was admissible, as tending to show that his memory and his judgment, (both of which were in question,) were less to be relied upon than if he possessed full mental health .and vigor. It was admissible, as affecting the degree of credit to be given to him.

V. The question put to Hector Adams, whether he did not -draw Mrs. Clark’s will in 1857 at the request of John Bascomb, was an inquiry not connected with any matter for which his evidence was introduced by the plaintiff. It was a new subject of inquiry, for the benefit of the defendants, and upon which Adams became their witness, and his évidence on that point could not be impeached by them. Hence the testimony as to his declarations before the probate court should have been rejected.

VI. ' That the testatrix had brothers and sisters who were poor, for whom she cherished feelings of affection, and of whose poverty she was aware, were important elements in considering what would be the natural and reasonable disposition of her property by will, and the evidence to show these facts was properly admitted.

So the evidence to show that her brother, the legatee in the will, was intemperate, and this well known to the testatrix, was admissible, as tending to show that a bequest of all her property to him was not an .a.et to have been naturally expected of her.

VII. Testimony to show that, for four years before her death, during a great portion of every year her conduct, habits, and conversation were strange, unnatural, and different from what they were during the previous years of her life, tended to show her insané continuously, and up to the time of her death.

VIII. The false statements of John W. Bascomb as to the execution and contents of the will — he being the sole legatee— were properly admitted. They impress the mind with the idea that he professed ignorance as to the will, to shield himself from the suspicion of having used undue influence to procure it. Why should-he do this, if there was nothing to conceal ?

IX. The report of the justices, and the decree of the probate court, were both made after the death of Mrs. Clark. The inquest was had upon her application. By her death there was no prosecuting party in court, and the proceedings and the guardianship were at an end. The guardian was not bound to resist the acceptance of the report, or the making of the decree. What would have been the final report and decree if she had lived — what objections would have been made, and might have prevailed, as to the report, we can not now tell, for before her death the proceedings had not been perfected, and after her death they could not be.- We think the making of the report and the decree after her death must be deemed void and of no effect against the defendants, and their exclusion as evidence was right. In the authorities cited we find none which sustain a report or decree similar to these.

Judgment of the county court reversed, and case remanded for a new trial.