Case ID: ga_15/html/0288-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Lumpkin, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 37
    Mary Morgan, executrix, &c. plaintiff in error, vs. Wm. G. Morgan, administrator, &c. defendant in error.
    
       An appeal does not lio from tlio verdict of a Special Jury, on a new trial.
    
    Motion, in Monroe Superior Court. Decision by Judge Starke, August Term, 1853.
    Upon a supplemental bill in Equity, in which Wm. G. Morgan, as administrator, was complainant, and Mary Morgan and others were respondents, a trial was had and verdict rendered for defendants. To the rulings of the Court upon this trial, a writ of error was sued out, and a new trial awarded by the Supreme Court. Upon this trial, a verdict was rendered for the defendants; and from this verdict, complainant appealed. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss this appeal, on tbe ground that the cause bad already been upon tbe appeal* and there decided.
    The Court over-ruled tbe motion, and counsel for respondents excepted.
    Trippe & Poe, for plaintiff in error.
    Harman & Gibson, for defendant in error.
   By the Court.

Lumpkin, J.,

delivering tbe opinion.

The only question in this case is, ■when a new trial has'been granted from the first verdict and judgment, in a Common Law or Equity cause, does an appeal lie from the verdict rendered on tbe new trial ?

By tbe 55th section of tbe Judiciary Act of 1799, it is provided that tbe Superior Courts shall have power to correct*errors and grant new trials, in any cause depending in any of tbe said Superior Courts, in such manner and under such rules and regulations as they may establish, and according to law and tbe usages and customs of Courts.

By tbe 58th section of tbe same Act, it is declared that all new trials shall be bad by a Special Jury, taken from tbe Grand Jury list of tbe county, and struck in tbe presence of tbe Court, in tbe same manner as in appeal cases. (Crawford & M. Dig. 307, 308.)

Is it not obvious that tbe new trial is in tbe nature of an appeal, which is, itself, a new trial, and stands in lieu thereof?

But if any doubt rested on this point, it will be removed by reference to tbe 57th section of tbe same Act, standing intermediate tbe two - which I have just quoted. It enacts, that in any ease which has arisen since tbe signing the present Constitution, or which máy hereafter arise of a verdict of a Special Jury being given, contrary to evidence and the principles of justice and equity, it .shall and may be lawful for tbe Judge presiding, to' grant a new trial before another Special Jury, in the manner prescribed by the Act.

Now, let it be borne in mind, that under the Statute, every verdict, on a new trial, must be by a Special Jury. And yet, to enable the party dissatisfied, to get a re-hearing, it can be done only on application'-for another new trial; and in no ease, whatever, by appeal, whether there had been- a previous appeal or not. To my mind, this view alone is conclusive. And such, we learn, upon inquiry, instituted since the opinion was-delivered in this case, from some of the elder members of the bar, and Ex-Judges of the State, has been the uniform practice, under this law.

An appeal proper, lies only from the first verdict. If either party is dissatisfied with that, he has his choice of two remedies : an appeal, on the trial of which, he may have his rights properly adjudicated, both as to the law and the facts of his case; and if they are not, he may then move for a new trial, and if it he improperly refused, prosecute his writ of error to this Court: or else he may, in the first instance, waive Bis privilege of appeal, and move for a new trial at once, as was done in this ease, and if denied, sue out Bis bill of exceptions. But if he elects to take the latter course, Be must abide by it - and Be is forever estopped from resorting to Bis right of appeal afterwards.

Nor can the party complain of any hardship, resulting from this construction. If Be considers the privilege of appealing so inestimable, why not resort to it in the first instance ? If the Court perseveres, in what he may adjudge a mal-administration of the lav, he can ultimately seek redress, by writ of error, on the appeal trial. But suppose, as in this case, he' abandons the right of appealing, and gets the errors which were committed on the iiist trial'corrected, and a new trial is-ordered, what more advantage could he ask? His condition is-better, than if had entered an appeal. His case is tried by a Special Jury—as an appeal—and without being liable to damages, or being'required to give bond and' security, for the payment of the eventual cost and condemnation money.

The question may well be propounded, then, why allow an ■appeal on a new trial, which, itself, is in the nature of an appeal, and which, for any practical intent and purpose, is an appeal ? If it can be entered from the firSt new trial verdict, it can from any subsequent one. Suppose ten new trials were directed, originating in errors committed on the first, and repeated through every following trial, until finally, a verdict was rendered and a judgment awarded, against which the suitor had no complaint—but he now comes and insists on his Statutory right of appeal! Would not the absurdity of such pretension, be too palpable' to demand serious refutation ?

Let tthe judgment be reversed, and the appeal dismissed.