Phillips v. . Nessmith

Supreme Court of North Carolina

Phillips v. . Nessmith

37 S.E.2d 178, 226 N.C. 173, 1946 N.C. LEXIS 412

CourtSupreme Court of North Carolina

DecidedMarch 6, 1946

StatusPublished

Cited by11 cases

This text of 37 S.E.2d 178 (Phillips v. . Nessmith) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of North Carolina primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Phillips v. . Nessmith, 37 S.E.2d 178, 226 N.C. 173, 1946 N.C. LEXIS 412 (N.C. 1946).

Pincite

Opinion

Stacy, C. J.

The plaintiff’s testimony is sufficient to carry the case to the jury on the issue of defendant’s alleged negligence. Wall v. Bain, 222 N. C., 375, 23 S. E. (2d), 330; Lincoln v. R. R., 207 N. C., 787, 178 S. E., 601. Accordingly, her demurrer to the evidence was properly overruled. Henson v. Wilson, 225 N. C., 417, 35 S. E. (2d), 245. But we think there was error in the court’s refusal to submit the issue of plaintiff’s alleged contributory negligence to the jury. On this issue, the evidence is inharmonious. The defendant’s testimony makes it a matter for the twelve. Liske v. Walton, 198 N. C., 741, 153 S. E., 318. “The rule applicable in cases of this kind is, that if diverse inferences may reasonably be drawn from the evidence, some favorable to the plaintiff and others to the defendant, the cause should be submitted to the jury for final determination.” Hobbs v. Mann, 199 N. C., 532, 155 S. E., 163. The “more than a scintilla” rule of evidence applies equally to the issues of negligence and contributory negligence. Sebastian v. Motor Lines, 213 N. C., 770, 197 S. E., 539; Pearson v. Luther, 212 N. C., 412, 193 S. E., 739; Moseley v. R. R., 197 N. C., 628, 150 S. E., 184; Moore v. Iron Works, 183 N. C., 438, 111 S. E., 776.

There was error in refusing to allow the jury to consider the issue of contributory negligence, which entitles the defendant to another hearing.

New trial.

Barnhill, J., dissents.

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Stacy, C. J.

The plaintiff’s testimony is sufficient to carry the case to the jury on the issue of defendant’s alleged negligence. Wall v. Bain, 222 N. C., 375, 23 S. E. (2d), 330; Lincoln v. R. R., 207 N. C., 787, 178 S. E., 601. Accordingly, her demurrer to the evidence was properly overruled. Henson v. Wilson, 225 N. C., 417, 35 S. E. (2d), 245. But we think there was error in the court’s refusal to submit the issue of plaintiff’s alleged contributory negligence to the jury. On this issue, the evidence is inharmonious. The defendant’s testimony makes it a matter for the twelve. Liske v. Walton, 198 N. C., 741, 153 S. E., 318. “The rule applicable in cases of this kind is, that if diverse inferences may reasonably be drawn from the evidence, some favorable to the plaintiff and others to the defendant, the cause should be submitted to the jury for final determination.” Hobbs v. Mann, 199 N. C., 532, 155 S. E., 163. The “more than a scintilla” rule of evidence applies equally to the issues of negligence and contributory negligence. Sebastian v. Motor Lines, 213 N. C., 770, 197 S. E., 539; Pearson v. Luther, 212 N. C., 412, 193 S. E., 739; Moseley v. R. R., 197 N. C., 628, 150 S. E., 184; Moore v. Iron Works, 183 N. C., 438, 111 S. E., 776.

There was error in refusing to allow the jury to consider the issue of contributory negligence, which entitles the defendant to another hearing.

New trial.

Barnhill, J., dissents.

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Bluebook (online)

37 S.E.2d 178, 226 N.C. 173, 1946 N.C. LEXIS 412, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/phillips-v-nessmith-nc-1946.

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