Document: 359 U.S. 437 79 S.Ct. 921 3 L.Ed.2d 935 Blanche DICK, Petitioner,v.NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE CO. No. 58. Argued Jan. 12, 1959. Decided May 18, Mr. Philip B. Vogel, Fargo, N.D., for petitioner. Norman G. Tenneson, respondent. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question in this case is whether Court Appeals Eighth Circuit, under applicable principles hereinafter discussed, properly held that it was error to submit a jury's determination an insured died as result suicide or accident. 2 Petitioner beneficiary two policies issued by respondent 1944 and 1949 insuring life her now-deceased husband, William Dick. Each policy contained clause which provided double indemnity would be payable upon receipt proof death 'resulted directly, independently all other causes, from bodily injury effected solely through external violent accidental means,' but not if insured's resulted 'self-destruction, sane insane.' Dick met his while alone silage shed farm. wounds caused discharge shotgun.1 filed proofs rejected claim payments on ground had committed suicide. then suit North Dakota courts. Her complaint set forth issue, facts surrounding husband's death, allegation accidental, demand payment. Respondent removed United States District grounds diversity citizenship jurisdictional amount. It answer up affirmative defense payments. admitted liability face amounts ($7,500) no issue presented concerning those amounts. 4 Trial proceeded before district judge jury. evidence showed Dicks, who been happily married since 1926, lived farm near Lisbon, Dakota, where they raised sheep, cattle field crops. Five six quarter sections were unmortgaged Dick, known have any financial problems, nearly $1,000 bank. He 'husky,' 'strong,' 'jolly' man seldom moody. 'If he anything chest, get off forget about it.' got along well with neighbors liked community. 47 at time death. five feet seven inches tall, weighed approximately 165 pounds, generally healthy. coroner, also Dick's personal doctor, testified mature, muscular, physically able workman who, three weeks bright cheerful. About year half visited doctor complained felt tired pepless. His condition diagnosed mild moderate non-specific prostatitis received sulfa treatments hormone shots. But record devoid serious particularly painful especially concerned it. Dicks reared children. One daughter still them attended high school nearby Elliott. whole family. 5 evening died, family returned Elliott ate ice cream watched television together. helped problem geera l science explaining intricacies transformer. slept soundly night. intended help cousin—a neighbor—make sausage following day. arose next morning, milked cows, hearty breakfast, spoke wife their plans said nothing indicate contemplated doing out ordinary. 8:30 a.m. Mrs. drove school. backed car garage goodbye normal way. process feeding milk pigs cattle. 6 hour work house. Later, when she thought leave cousin's house, went locate She walked barn called him there answer. little 8 foot 12 adjacent saw lying floor. fully clothed zero weather Lisbon experiencing wore bulky gloves heavy jacket zipped up. Near lay shotgun. A good part head appeared blown knew appearance dead. hurriedly house brother nearby. came immediately direction shed. There northwest southeast body south wall corner. examined more closely, found concentration shotgun pellets corner four floor noticed sprinkle frozen steps leading door 7 James deceased's nephew, responded call. stated arriving tub newly filled corn yard normally uncle fed topping just finishing presumably laid At 11 a.m., sheriff arrived. died. discharged shells its chamber. gun dry clean bloodstains wearing. some shot patterns brain tissue splattered screwdriver gun. use open close because doorknob missing. 9 Soon thereafter coroner wound left side one head. mortal, fatal. consisted gouged lateral chest skin, fat, rib muscles portions body. In addition, ribs fractured lung collapsed. coroner's opinion, type immense pain, although probably made impossible again immediate According testimony member Fargo police department, both front. sheriff's upward into body, conflicted another statement indicating downward shot. 10 clear experienced hunter. kept attacks sheep b vi cious dogs during preceding year. number killed manner. mentioned seeing foxes barn. husband hunting, sometimes borrowed father's didn't trust own. once wouldn't fire told occasionally fired accidentally. hunting heard unexpected explained occurred 'once while.' over 26 years old. after tested cocking dropping times.2 triggers did release these occasions. safety could on. each tests. Finally, trigger seven-pound pull. No notes found. relatives friends will. 13 conclusion evidence, unsuccessful moved directed verdict. court charged jury state law should presumed burden show fair preponderance verdict $7,500 Respondent's motions judgment notwithstanding new trial denied. 14 Appeals, parties assumed propriety Court's refusal grant respondent's matter law. Under law, circumstances present presumption arises, has weight accidental. Svihovec v. Woodmen Accident Co., 69 N.D. 259, 285 N.W. 447. See Paulsen Modern America, 21 235, 130 231; Clemens Royal Neighbors 116, 103 402; Stevens Continental Casualty 463, 97 862.3 Proof coverage gunshot shifts insurer establish due supra. does disappear presents Ibid. Rather, fact (accidental death) continues plaintiff entitled instructions existence weight.4 This say may overcome so much For 'there can inconsistent suicide,' 'the (can) reconciled reasonable theory nonintentional injury,' direct even though proving suicide.5 These rules determine 'suicide' sufficient go They are determining rebutted, thus excised case, because, bov e, throughout evidence. 15 (252 F.2d 43, 46) reviewed detail resolved least disputed point favor. found, 'definitely established evidence,' 'neither barrel (of shotgun) unless someone something either pulled pushed triggers.' '(o)ne believe hunter might accidentally shoot himself once, asserted first stretches credulity beyond breaking point.'6 And concluded 'be accident, that, jury.' Judgment reversed directions dismiss complaint. We granted certiorari, 357 925, 78 1370, 1369. 16 Lurking proper apply federal test sufficiency support jurisdiction rested citizenship. On question, lower courts agreement. Compare Rowe Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines, Inc., Cir., 231 922; Cooper Brown, 126 874; Lovas General Motors Corp., 212 805, Davis Frozen Foods, Inc. Norfolk Southern Ry. 204 839; Reuter Eastern Air 226 443; Diederich American News 128 144. see Morgan, Choice Law Governing Proof, 58 Harv.L.Rev. 153, 174, Moore's Federal Practice (2d ed. 1951) § 38.10. here decision briefs arguments Court, standard applied.7 Moreover, appears applied standard, discuss issue. circumstances, we will reach decide important where, context standards substantially same.8 briefed argued. decidedon simple outset opinion. 17 our view, improperly basic resolving factual dispute favor triggers. Petitioner's score, despite 'tests' performed sheriff, causes. Once possible, rationally conceive explanations consistent believed overwhelming improbability indisputably shows lack motive—in infer most unlikely prospect. relatively healthy, financially secure, married, liked, apparently emotionally stable. behind conduct indicated intention destroy himself. timing midst chores planned appointment neighbors, militates against such conclusion. presence accessibility explicable view previously attacked convenient exit adjoining fields. improbable bother remove gloves, thick jacket, commit articles clothing difficult turn 18 like one, presumes places supra; Erie rule,9 presumptions (and effects) 'substantive' hence required shoulder instant trial. Palmer Hoffman, 318 109, 63 477, 87 L.Ed. 645; Cities Service Oil Co. Dunlap, 308 208, 60 201, 84 196. Balchunas Palmer, 151 842; Sylvania Electric Products Barker, 228 Matsumoto Chicago & 168 496. After in, judge, intimately first-hand knowledge principles, correct men conclude failed satisfy showing 19 Reversed. 20 HARLAN took consideration case. STEWART, concurring. 22 I concur judgment, believing correctly followed submitting Not having petition certiorari granted, 1369, consider inappropriate now express wisdom bringing this. 23 FRNKF URTER, whom WHITTAKER, joins, dissenting. 24 several occasions reasons my adherence traditional practice note dissent disposition petitions certiorari.1 Different considerations decided. 25 Establishment intermediate appellate 18912 designed Congress relieve overburdened docket Court.3 Circuit Courts equal dignity Supreme States.4 essential purpose Evarts Act enable indispensable functions system relieving duty adjudication cases only litigants.5 legislative history demonstrates 1891, less than today litigation allowed brought basis rarely moment except parties.6 provided, therefore, judgments decrees circuit appeals shall final.'7 provision Senator referred 'weakness' Act,8 given discretionary power cases, exercised general interest, outside limited scope ordinary litigation, involved.9 Any hesitance justified early power. mindful restriction, long eagerly sought itself, obligatory jurisdiction, faithful complementary obligation imposed conferred control docket, greatest restraint caution granting resting citizenship.10 27 Time passage 'gravity importance' 'to secure uniformity decision' exercised.11 Brewer wariness terms Act: 28 'Obviously, broad comprehensive, carelessly exercised, defeat very f t act creating appeal. So intent congress terminate appeal, which, here, simply prevent promptness judicial actions elements justice.'12 29 order justify establishment necessary 30 'a sparingly us importance involved, necessity avoiding conflict between appeal State, affecting interests nation internal relations demands exercise.'13 31 led scores writ oral argument became manifest misapprehension true issues.14 Cases sole submission regarded complying necessitated purposes limiting review certiorari.15 32 To strengthen further avoid main raise factal controversies, 1916 arising Employers' Liability Act, 45 U.S.C.A. 51 et seq., final reviewable guiding exercising jurisdiction.16 Senate Report accompanied bill suggested change allow 'expeditious (cases) real substance.'17 33 1925 enacted 'Judges' Bill,'18 drafted committee composed Van Devanter, McReynolds, Sutherland, JJ.19 hearings Justices Taft past respecting limitations jurisdiction.20 authoritative expositions assurances Congress, sharply restricted admit doubt, contain ambiguity. said: 34 'No litigant chances, namely, original review, purpose. When goes primarily preserve rights litigants. function expounding stabilizing benefit people country, passing constitutional questions public benefit. among appeal.'21 35 House Report, recommending Representatives bill, succinctly: 36 'The attention energy devoted matters large concern, consumed without especial wants last resort pass right.'22 37 Though various objections certain changes worked voiced Senate, critical Senators recognized great difference tribunals. Thus Copeland: 38 coordinate branches Government, labor should, speaking, interest deciding private controversies citizens involving importance.'23 39 correspondence Copeland JusticeTaf t, latter wrote: based right second appeal.'24 40 understanding role way maintained observing clearly contemporary exposition Judiciary 1925: 41 sound (Act 1891) litigants sufficiently protected hearing instance, court. conceived be, remedying particular litigant's wrong, whose involves application wide governmental authoritatively declared court.'25 42 Questions traditionally deemed kind ought recanvassed entangled legal issues. Newell Norton, Wall. 257, 271, Grier weighing determinations: 'It tedious unprofitable task examine compare conflicting statements witnesses volume depositions. And, make intelligible, never precedent worth trouble understanding.' page 267. caveat: 'Parties expect revise merely doubt minds correctness credibility witnesses, testimony.' 268. Houston Texas Goodrich, 245 440, 140, 62 385, dismissed improvidently apparent 'propriety submitting' 'depended essentially appreciation evidence.' 441, 141. Testifying Committee Judges' Bill, Devanter related similar incident.26 later occasion expounded Hughes: 43 'Records replete facts. many facts, being controversy. interwoven must extent 44 'This disposes vast below themselves.'27 What petitioner presses us? sets presented: (1) deprived guaranteed Seventh Amendment? (2) refuse follow do R. Tompkins, 304 64, 817, 82 1188? If raises Amendment, every grantedmot ion dismissal calling jury, verdict, Fabulous inflation cannot conventional turning issues, nor contested evidentiary similarly transformed insisting Constitution violated. verbal smoke screen obscure truth involved appraisal inferences drawn Judge Magruder expressed common sense matter: 46 withdrawing entering defendant plaintiff's reversal (by Appeals) for; gained blowing denial Amendment.'28 insistence ignored acted variance disproved citation discussion relevant below. 252 46. same asks apply, Acc. 'Our conclusion,' announced, 'is infliction succession, proximity heart, head, 47. Thus, interpreted fell short requirements noted interpretation sufficiency. '(w)hatever formulation, requirement mere speculation probative making allowance reasonably possible favoring party attacked.'29 48 Alike repeatedly insisted petitioner—was jury—is situation infinite variety. Judicial bound vary particularities individual situation. strictly adjudication—a unique turns facts—and precedential value. Of course perhaps parties, interest. 49 strict down bar applying exercise 'sound discretion' technical, invidious term. heart effective functions. bring 'special important'30 reason so, litigant, local doctrine decided rather better versed possibly works inroads available study reflection classes exists. 50 conditions enabling adequately duties special keeping too consciously persistently mind. farreaching delicate problems call ultimate Nation's highest tribunal require vigor effort, conservation, ablest judges. Listening arguments, examining records briefs, analyzing investigating materials what partisan counsel offer, constitute fraction thing, types come (as rpesent Reports compared generation ago bear ample testimony) considerable literature. More important, however, collective judgments. Such presuppose freshness mind preparation Conference. Without adequate reflection; discussion; fruitful interchange thoughtful, unhurried formulation learned impressive opinions. therefore imperative preclude wise adjudication. avoided rigorously excludes coming rise significance inescapability meeting responsibilities vested 52 Adjudication is, course, exacting time-consuming labors; means story. few categories right, gave control, business. own urging rendered feasible. screening itself demanding aspect work. litigious tendency unwillingness rest content adverse decisions cause litigated often courts, lead attempts literally thousands neverrea ch land.31 examination papers sift belong business laborious independent access Court.32 53 Every grants disregard professed criteria, invites responsibility lawyers enjoined formal pronouncements. idle preach obedience justifying filing successors members impressively addressed disregards code seeks bind profession. Lawyers unnaturally hope draw prize lottery conscientious feel duty, officers obey paper obligated clients abstain others succeeded. rigorous criteria hopeless filed. laxity stimulate burdened. 54 Therefore, ever customary class belongs, has, rule, resolute guarding abuse closely jurisdiction. Due regard vital principle underlies it, compels issued. 55 However, adhere rational review. ignore relevance expressions impropriety unwise fact, how undertake reassess reasoned assessment Appeals. 56 undisturbed, denying unsubstantiality, 57 place reverse find tilting other, fair-minded judges way.'33 staple neither within aptitude constant practice. administration emphasized are, nature deal, far dealing ascertaining jury.34 paid therefrom judges, fairly justification baseless? not, undisturbed below.35 all, reviewing subjected rule reason. Comparison Appeals' manifests scrupulous deference pronounced unmistakable care considering yields. Whether agree disagree evaluation tolerant surely represent fair, determination. merits affirm Stevens, gauge, barreled placed other. pounds. over-all length measured muzzle 'pretend expert shotguns concerned.' tests ten times height holding butt board eight times. shooting position swung obstacle accords N.D.Rev.Code, 1943, 31—1101, provides: 'A presumption, conclusive, controverted indirect controverted, jurors according presumption.' adopt 'modern' effect presumptions, see, e.g., Wigmore Evidence (3d 1940) 2491, rejected. New York Life Ins. Gamer, 303 161, 500, 726, predating 1188. subsequent Gamer 106 375. pull offset probability used push resolution seems strained indeed. accounted door. reject court's implicit mortally wounded bulkily hold arm's wearing inserted guard difficulty. argued abandoned 4, supra, Brady 320 476, 479—480, 64 232, 234, 88 239 Bailey Central Vermont Ry., 319 350, 353, 1062, 1064, 1444, E.g., State Maryland Baltimore Radio Show, 338 912, 70 252, 94 562; Bondholders, Powell, 342 921, 72 319, 96 688; Chemical Bank Trust Group Institutional Investors, 343 982, 1018, 1372; Rosenberg States, 344 889, 73 134, 687. March 3, Stat. 826 (commonly Act). H.R.Rep. 1295, 51st Cong., 1st Sess. 3. Cong.Rec. 3403—3405, 10220—10222; 3585. 828. 10221. writs Lau Ow Bew, 141 583, 868; re Woods, 143 202, 417, 125; Bew 144 47, 517, 340; Construction Jacksonville, T. K.W.R. 148 372, 758, 486; Forsyth City Hammond, 166 506, 665, 1095; Fields 205 292, 543, 807; Rimer, 220 547, 596, 578. 27, 1893, enactment write granted. 383, 763. cited, 10, 513, 668. Id., pages 514—515, 669. Rice Sioux Memorial Park Cemetery, 349 70, 75 614, 99 879, listing sixth 'Only light become numerous instances turned illusory; others, wanting non-federal ground; number, significance.' 79, 2, 619. earlier Stone, joined Brandeis, written: construction statute asked and, were, only. shown. Plainly warrants certiorari. reasons, granted.' Washington Fidelity National Burton, 287 97, 100, 101—102, 26, 77 Knight, 336 505, 509, 704, 706, 93 845 (dissenting opinion). Nor need rummage recesses memories: Triplett Iowa, 217, 1358, 1361; Hinkle England Mutual 358 65, 106; Joseph Indiana, 117, 720, 673. 385. Lutcher Moore Lumber 217 267—268, 757, provisions subervient, distribute casting finally final. accordance act, essence, end responsible performed.' Sept. 6, 1916, 727. S.Rep. 775, 64th 794, Feb. 13, 1925, 936. summary Frankfurter Landis, Business 273—280. authors analyze Act. 280—294. Hearings H.R. 10479, 67th 2d Sess.; Hearing Subcommittee S. 2060 2061, 68th 8206, 2. Writing Magnum Import Coty, 262 159, 163, 531, 532, 67 922, (to give defeated hearing.' 1075, 66 2755. 2920. Taft, Jurisdiction February Yale L.J. 1, (1925). 31. Printed 711, 75th 40. Smith Reinauer Transport, 256 646, 649. Negligence occupies substantial portion 'During myself calculated days taking negligence, Jones FELA, Tort Claim, lot.' Charles E. Wyzanski, Jr., Proceedings Attorney General's Conference Congestion (1958), 137. negligence tried necessitates functions, encourage here. discriminate classification all. That why appealable Galloway 395, 1077, 1089, 1458. Rule 19, Rules Terms current Term filed, respectively, 1,382, 1,473, 1,407 miscellaneous dockets. 'We effort passed makes dependent discretion until lately right. Let understood preliminary delegated, changed back quickly hear time; barely keep work.' Holmes, writing date August 30, 1929, Sir Frederick Pollock, Holmes-Pollock Letters (Howe 1941) 251. Labor Relations Board Pittsburgh S.S. 340 498, 502—503, 71 453, 456, 95 479. 409—410, Ct. 824, 832, 1027; McAllister 348 24, 9, (separate Judges experience: Sanborn: Minnesota, 1922—1925; 1925—1932; 1932. Woodrough: County Ward County, Texas, 1894—1896; Nebraska, 1933; 1933. Johnsen: 1939—1940; 1940. 'departed accepted usual proceedings,' had, manifested strong bias litigants, 'an supervision.' States. suggestion reflected insurance company. contrary, animadversion complete disinterestedness disavowed bar. Trade Commission Tobacco 274 663, 1193.

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