Spearman v. Sanders

49 S.E. 296, 121 Ga. 468, 1904 Ga. LEXIS 199

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: December 12, 1904
• Status: Published

Opinion

Candler, J.

1. A ground of a motion for a new trial which complains that the verdict is contrary to a given charge of the court is in effect a complaint that the verdict is contrary to law.

2. It was not error to allow a witness, whose testimony was sought to he impeached by proof of contradictory evidence given on a former trial of the same case, to explain the alleged contradiction in the light of what was testified to in the trial then being had. Savannah R. Co. v. Holland, 82 Ga. 258.

3. The range of the questions submitted to the jury for answer was wide enough 'to comprehend all the essential elements of the case. If counsel desired other questions submitted, a suggestion to .that effect should have been made to the trial judge at the proper time. McCook v. Harp, 81 Ga. 229.

4. The jury passing on the issues saw and heard all the witnesses, and knew their relation to each other and to the case itself. There were many con'flicts and contradictions to be solved. While the judge who passed upon the motion for a new trial did not preside on the trial of the case, and hence his approval of the verdict does not carry the same force as that of the’ trial judge would have done, still it is entitled to weight in determining whether the verdict should be allowed to stand. After a careful consideration of the entire brief of evidence we are not disposed to control his discretion in refusing to grant a new trial.

Judgment, affirmed,.

All the Justices concur, except JSvans, J., disqualified.

Equitable petition. Before Judge Evans ; motion for new trial before Judge Freeman. Heard superior court. July 2, 1904.

W. A. Post and W. G. Wright, for plaintiff in error. F. S. Loftin and II. A. Rail¡ contra.