Powers v. Bergman

96 N.E. 674, 210 Mass. 346, 1911 Mass. LEXIS 1070

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: November 29, 1911
• Status: Published

Opinion

Rugg, C. J.

These exceptions relate to a refusal to grant a new trial on the ground of newly discovered evidence. The action is to recover damages for an assault. The affidavits indicate that the alleged newly discovered evidence tends to show that the defendant was at another place at the time of the assault. A motion for a new trial ordinarily is addressed to the discretion of the trial court, to the exercise of which no exception lies. Although it is a judicial and not an arbitrary discretion which must be exercised, in the present case there is nothing to indicate even unwise action by the trial judge.

* The newly discovered evidence was itself of a character which may have failed to carry to his mind conviction of its truthfulness. He saw the witnesses on both sides during the trial, and having denied a motion for a new trial upon the usual grounds, may have been satisfied that, notwithstanding the new evidence, the verdict ought to stand. Even if the evidence, which has been discovered, would justify a different verdict, a motion for a new trial may be refused rightly. There is nothing in this record to support an exception to the discretion of the Superior Court. Freeman v. Boston, 175 Mass. 208. Behan v. Williams, 123 Mass. 366. Parker v. Hardy, 24 Pick. 246. In Manzigian v. Boyajian, 183 Mass. 125, which clearly is decisive of the present case, only the excepting party was heard.

E. F. McClennen, for the defendant. J. J. Walsh, (J. F. Lynch with him,) for the plaintiff.

These exceptions appear to be within the terms of R. L. c. 156, § 13. They are overruled and double costs are awarded against the defendant and interest at the rate of twelve per cent per annum from the time the exceptions were allowed.

So ordered.

DeCourcy, J.