Steen v. Gass

454 P.2d 94, 85 Nev. 249
CourtNevada Supreme Court
DecidedMay 9, 1969
Docket5615
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 454 P.2d 94 (Steen v. Gass) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Nevada Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Steen v. Gass, 454 P.2d 94, 85 Nev. 249 (Neb. 1969).

Opinion

*250 OPINION

By the Court,

Collins, C. J.:

This is an appeal from a judgment of the Second Judicial District Court, pursuant to a jury verdict awarding respondent (plaintiff below) compensatory damages against the four appellants (defendants below), in the sum of $500,000 and punitive damages against appellant DeSalvo in the sum of $10,000 and against appellant Blumstrom in the sum of $5,000 as a result of an assault and battery committed on January 31, 1964. All of the defendants filed notices of appeal. Respondent has executed a satisfaction of judgment in favor of Steen only and the appeal has been dismissed as to Steen. The appeal of Atcheson has also been dismissed, upon his motion. Only the appeals of DeSalvo and Blumstrom remain for our consideration. As to them we affirm the judgment.

On the evening of January 31, 1964, Steen, Gass, and a female companion were returning to Reno, Nevada, in a car driven by Steen after a basketball game in Carson City. While stopped at a stop sign on South Virginia Street in Reno, their car was bumped from the rear by a car driven by Atcheson in which Blumstrom, DeSalvo and another were passengers. Steen was agitated and used foul language toward Atcheson. This resulted in an argument between Steen and Atcheson in *251 which the others joined. Gass also was out of the Steen car during this encounter. Steen desired to call the police, but there was apparently no damage to his car and Atcheson talked him out of it. Prior to this incident, the occupants of the Atcheson car had been drinking. The two cars proceeded north on South Virginia Street. Steen testified that at one point the Atcheson car was maneuvered in front of him and stopped suddenly without warning. Steen slammed on his brakes to keep from hitting it and the car drove on. Traffic was heavy on South Virginia Street that evening. In the downtown area it was moving at a snail’s pace. Atcheson testified that the others in the car indicated that the way Steen acted at the first encounter, Atcheson should have fought him right there. At approximately the intersection of North Virginia Street and First Street more words were exchanged between the occupants of the two cars. Both cars were stopped at the intersection, the Atcheson car, with Blumstrom driving at this time, was in front of the Steen car. Atcheson alighted from the passenger side of his car and went up to the driver’s side of Steen’s car and asked Steen if he would like to settle the affair. Steen accepted the challenge, and Atcheson suggested they go to Idlewild Park. The occupants of both the Steen and Atcheson cars informed the occupants of other cars that there was to be a fight at Idlewild Park.

At the park two fights took place. Steen and Atcheson engaged in one fight and Gass and Blumstrom engaged in another. The evidence is conflicting as to which of the two fights began first. Atcheson’s friends jumped in to help him in his fight against Steen. Gass apparently had Blumstrom against Steen’s car when DeSalvo jumped in to help Blumstrom. DeSalvo admits striking Gass about three times, and as Gass went down DeSalvo jumped on his chest. Blumstrom admits kicking Gass while he was down and also testified that DeSalvo kicked Gass. Blumstrom then went to the Atcheson car, and DeSalvo testifies that he proceeded to the Atcheson-Steen fight.

When the Atcheson-Steen fight broke up, Gass was discovered lying on the ground unconscious. Attempts were made by DeSalvo and others to revive him, and when this was unsuccessful Gass was put into Steen’s car. DeSalvo, Blumstrom, and possibly others, then went to the “Fat Boy” Drive-in to call an ambulance. They returned to the park to pick up the other people and then went to Washoe Medical Center to await the ambulance. Steen proceeded out of the park with Gass in his car and stopped a merchant patrolman who also called an ambulance. Gass was taken to the hospital *252 in the ambulance. Steen proceeded to the hospital after the ambulance.

Gass suffered deep-seated brain injuries and a partial collapse of the right lung. He was in a coma for 17 days and remained in the hospital until May 1, 1964. The only physician to testify was Dr. Mack, who treated Gass from February 2, 1964. He testified to the severe and permanent brain injury that Gass suffered and he also stated that such injury was consistent with a blow or blows to the head with a fist, striking the head on pavement or being kicked in the head by a man.

Blumstrom and DeSalvo were placed under arrest at the Washoe Medical Center and taken to the Reno City Jail. They were both charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with intent to do bodily harm. On the criminal charges, DeSalvo was represented by Harold O. Taber, the attorney who later represented Atcheson in the civil suit which is the subject of this appeal. Blumstrom was represented by other counsel. On advice of their attorneys, they both pleaded guilty to assault with intent to do bodily harm and both received probation.

There is one issue common to both appellants DeSalvo and Blumstrom and one issue pertaining to DeSalvo alone. These two issues are decisive of this appeal and, while other issues were raised by counsel, we limit our discussion to two pertinent points of error.

The one issue common to both DeSalvo and Blumstrom is this:

I. Is there any substantial evidence in the record to establish that Gass did not consent to engage in mutual combat?

The issue concerning DeSalvo alone is this:

II. Was the trial court’s refusal to permit Harold O. Taber to withdraw from the case as attorney for Atcheson and its failure to require him to do so reversible error?

1. An early case from this court, relied upon by all parties to this appeal, Wright v. Starr, 42 Nev. 441, 179 P. 877 (1919), sets down the rules for civil liability for assault and battery in this state. In that case, a woman was allegedly assaulted by a man in her room. The woman contended the man had grabbed and pressed her throat and neck with his hands, had pressed her watch into her flesh and had tom her clothing off. The man contended he merely kissed her with her consent, and when he attempted to kiss her goodby she demurred to the effort and he desisted. This court held in that case, in sustaining the verdict for the defendant, “To permit *253 a recovery of damages in a civil action for an assault, by one who has consented to or participated in the acts causing the injury, is to countenance a principle that one may profit by his own wrong — a theory obnoxious to both law and equity.” Id. at p. 445. And further, at p. 446, “But we do hold that in an ordinary assault and battery in the common course of things, consent precludes a right of action for injuries received.”

A careful reading of the record convinces us there is substantial evidence to sustain a jury finding that Gass did not consent to engage in mutual combat with anyone. On a direct appeal from a jury verdict, this court may only consider the evidence presented at trial to determine whether there was any substantial evidence to support the findings of the jury, or whether the conclusion reached by the jury was clearly wrong. Finnell v. Bromberg, 79 Nev.

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Bluebook (online)
454 P.2d 94, 85 Nev. 249, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/steen-v-gass-nev-1969.