Case Name: Anne Cantwell et al., Appellants, v. Willis Russell et al., Respondents, et al., Defendant. (Action No. 1.)
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1968-06-27
Citations: 30 A.D.2d 767
Docket Number: 
Parties: Anne Cantwell et al., Appellants, v. Willis Russell et al., Respondents, et al., Defendant. (Action No. 1.)
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 30
Pages: 767–767

Head Matter:
Anne Cantwell et al., Appellants, v. Willis Russell et al., Respondents, et al., Defendant. (Action No. 1.)

Opinion:
Order entered July 10, 1967 insofar as it dismissed the complaint as to defendant Russell unanimously reversed on the law and facts and a new trial granted, with costs to the appellants to abide the event. Judgment entered June 13, 1967 unanimously affirmed, without costs. Memorandum: At the close of the case of the plaintiffs the defendant Russell moved for a nonsuit on the ground plaintiffs had not proven a prima facie case. On the argument of the motion considerable discussion was had between counsel and the court as to whether the contents of the deposition of defendant Hedden taken by the plaintiffs could be used as substantive proof of negligence against the defendant Russell. The court rejected its use for that purpose and granted defendant Russell's motion dismissing plaintiffs' complaint. Following the granting of the nonsuit plaintiffs' attorney moved to reopen the plaintiffs' case to put the defendant Hedden on the stand and the court denied the motion. Under all the circumstances the plaintiffs should have been allowed to reopen for the purpose stated and the denial of the motion by plaintiffs Cantwell and McNamara constituted an improvident exercise of discretion by the trial court. (Appeal from judgment and order of Onondaga Trial Term dismissing complaint in automobile negligence action.) Present — Bastow, P. J., Del Vecchio, Marsh, Witmer and Henry, JJ.