Palmer v. Hyde

4 Conn. 426

• Court: Supreme Court of Connecticut
• Decided: July 15, 1822
• Status: Published

Opinion

Hosmer, Ch. J.

When the verdict of a jury is against evidence, a new trial may be granted; but it must not hence be inferred, that in every case of this description, the court will direct a trial by another jury. The granting of a new trial, merely because in the opinion of the court, the verdict is rather against the weight of evidence, would reduce the trial by jury to an expensive and useless form, and take away the power vested in the jurors, by the constitution. The verdict ought to be manifestly and palpably against the weight of evidence to authorize a venire-facias de novo; and this is the law of Westminster-Hall. It certainly is proper, in this state, where the judge has the power of returning a jury, on a misdetermination in point of fact, to the third consideration, to restrict new trials, for the above cause, to cases not susceptible of any reasonable doubt.

The question, in the case before the jury, related to the payment of 70 dollars, on the one part affirmed, and denied on the other. That the plaintiff received this sum, and gave the defendant his note for it, was not questioned; but the defendant insisted, that he likewise paid to the plaintiff a similar sum, applicable to the contract in suit. On the best consideration I have been able to give the subject, I am of opinion, that the evidence adduced, supports the defendant’s assertion. At the same time, from his omission to claim the 70 dollars as a payment, when his case was on trial, before the county court, and likewise in the enumeration of the payments frequently made by him, I cannot say, that the verdict is so palpably against the weight of evidence, that a new trial ought to be granted.

The other Judges were of the same opinion.

New trial not to be granted.