Case ID: me_14/html/0421-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

State of Maine vs. Moses Call.
    When a party in the Court of Common Pleas files exceptions to the opinion of the Judge, and at the same time moves for a new trial for alleged misconduct in the jury, the Judge has the right to recpiire such parly to make his election to insist on his exceptions, or rely on his motion; and his election to proceed on his motion for a new trial is a waiver of his right to except to any decision of the Judge made during the trial of the action.
    
    
      Call was indicted and tried in the Court of Common Picas for an offence. During the trial several objections were made by the counsel of Call, presenting questions of law, which were overruled by Smith J. presiding at tbe trial. Tbe jury returned a verdict of guilty. Tbe counsel of Call wished to file exceptions to the ruling and opinions of tbe Judge, and also to be heard on a motion for a new trial, because of the alleged misconduct of some of the jurors. The Judge ruled, that the accused might, if he saw fit, file exceptions, and upon their being allowed, all further proceedings would be stayed in the Court of Common Pleas, and it was left to his election by the Judge, to file exceptions, or rely upon the motion for a new trial. Call elected the latter, and the case was continued until the next term, when a hearing was had on the motion for a new trial. The Judge was of opinion, that the motion for anew trial was not sustained, and refused to grant it. Exceptions were then filed to the ruling of the Judge during the trial, and for refusing to grant a new trial.
    All the questions were argued, by Mellen and Farley, for Call, and by Clifford, Attorney General, for the State.
   The Court held, that the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas had tbe right to put the accused to Ms election, to file exceptions, or waive them and proceed on Ms motion for a new trial; and that his election of the latter course, was a waiver of Ms right to except to any ruling of the Judge, during the trial. No opinion, therefore, was given on the questions of law argued on the exceptions.

In relation to the motion for a new trial, it was remarked, by Emery J., wbo delivered the opinion of tbe Court, that the proof of misconduct in jurors should be unequivocal, and fully satisfactory, to induce the Court to set aside their verdict; that this was a motion addressed to the discretion of the Court; and that whether this Court could, or could not, grant a new trial on exceptions to the decision of the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, denying such motion, in this case they perceive no cause to interfere.