Document: 377 U.S. 152 84 S.Ct. 1157 12 L.Ed.2d 206 Wanda MERCER, Petitioner,v.Paris THERIOT. No. 336. Argued April 22, 1964. Decided May 4, Rehearing Denied June 8, See 973, 1643. H. Alva Brumfield, Sylvia Roberts, Baton Rouge, La., for petitioner. Stanley E. Loeb, New Orleans, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner brought a wrongful death action against respondent in the United States District Court Eastern of Louisiana. Jurisdiction was based on diversity citizenship and amount controversy. The jury returned verdict petitioner $25,000, trial court denied respondent's motions new judgment notwithstanding verdict. 2 On appeal, panel Appeals Fifth Circuit reversed judgment. held that evidence insufficient to sustain remanded case 'with directions enter defendant unless plaintiff * makes satisfactory showing another sufficient probative force justify submission cause will be offered, which event shall trial.' 262 F.2d 754, 761. also there were prejudicial errors conduct would have required even if had been evidence. F.2d, at 758—759. At stage litigation, this petition writ certiorari. 359 983, 79 941, 3 933. then submitted additional support motion trial. district judge, regarding himself ound by ruling adduced insufficient, ground 'evidence, while persuasive, inadmissible under hearsay rule.' sitting en banc, over dissent four judges, affirmed denial 316 635. sought, we granted, 375 920, 264, 11 164. 4 We now 'consider all substantial federal questions determined earlier stages litigation *.,' Reece v. Georgia, 350 85, 87, 76 167, 169, 100 L.Ed. 77, it is settled may consider raised first as well 'those before appeals upon second appeal.' Hamilton-Brown Shoe Co. Wolf Bros. & Co., 240 251, 257, 36 269, 271, 60 629. Cf. Urie Thompson, 337 163, 171—173, 69 1018, 1025—1026, 93 1282; Messinger Anderson, 225 436, 444, 32 739, 740, 56 1152. 5 alleged deemed court's instruction circumstantial 'highly error' because included statement '(t)he testimony witnesses has made out what call law *.' 758. But soon called attention, following given: 6 'What I meant say Plaintiff sought make through their case. question whether or not proved Jury determine.' 7 There no objection re-instruction. conclude properly stated remedied any erroneous impression received from instruction. judge committed 'grievous' error permitting introduction certain Id., 757. Counsel did object but fact elicited same his examination witness. record, admission cannot deprivation 'substantial justice,' Rule 61, Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. Finally, inflammatory nature opening petitioner's counsel told he establish 'was hit run driver,' with 'a complete disregard life.' In context case, however, those remarks do seem significantly outside bounds permissible advocacy. If knowingly struck deceased, hit-and-run driver little regard human life, undisputed automobile decedent stop render aid report accident. 8 Our record reveals only affecting justice, conducted scrupulous litigants' rights. 9 must next sufficiency indicates could reasonably found facts: Decedent's body discovered an island right side black top road; two three feet off edge near tire marks ran road some distance; resulted violent blow; time fixed about 7:30 p.m.; highway leading home; spent afternoon bar consumed between 10 drinks whiskey; left p.m. drove toward home killed; t decedent's death, few people traveling highway; day accident without headlight rim bore recent blow front hood; blue coloring 'had appearance done clothing *' wearing coveralls when struck; towel red stains appeared blood concealed driver's seat cover; particles looked like hair underneath car; covered white substance film soap after washing. believe erred concluding standard might appropriate—state federal. Dick York Life Ins. 437, 444—445, 921, 925—926, 935. jury's verdict, therefore, should disturbed. Accordingly, instructions accordance verdict.* It so ordered. Reversed instructions. Mr. Justice HARLAN, dissenting. 13 Certiorari granted presented state determines cases courts where jurisdiction citizenship. That undecided 444 445, having concluded it, certiorari dismissed improvidently granted. Nothing remains decides except concerning rulings judge. As none these can more than second-guess, one step further removed actual events, Appeals. revealed itself argument, appropriate review Court. my opinion Ferguson Moore-McCormack Lines, Inc., 352 521, 559, 77 457, 478, 511, dissenting Frankfurter id., 524, 458, 511. views expressed apply particular founded rather law. Frankfurter, Gibson Phillips Petroleum 874, 16, 77. 14 merits, think appropriately part business substitute its Appeals, either issue gravity led 'deprived court' convicted 'on rumor hearsay, negligent fault bribery corruption.' 759. disposition unnecessary us correctness

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