Case Name: Brenzel v. Philadelphia Transportation Company
Court: Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1944-10-26
Citations: 51 Pa. D. & C. 367
Docket Number: 
Parties: Brenzel v. Philadelphia Transportation Company
Judges: 
Reporter: Pennsylvania District and County Reports
Volume: 51
Pages: 367–368

Head Matter:
Brenzel v. Philadelphia Transportation Company
October 26, 1944. —
Robert M. Bernstein, for plaintiff.
Marshall A. Coyne, for defendant.

Opinion:
Smith, P. J.,
Plaintiff instituted
a suit against defendant on May 13,1944, and at that time waived a jury trial. On October 12,1944, plaintiff filed a petition with the court asking for a jury trial. The reason advanced is as follows:
"That your petitioner feels that the nature of his ease is such that it should properly be submitted to a jury."
The time for demanding a jury trial without leave of court has expired.
Defendant, by its counsel, has filed an answer to the said petition in which he avers:
"That the nature of this case is such that a judge would be more competent to pass upon the evidence than would a jury, and further avers that no reason is now set forth which should move the court to make absolute the rule for a jury trial at this time."
While a matter of this kind is within the discretion of the court, and is not of right, where the answer denies the averments of the petition there must be more than a mere desire expressed in the petition to cause the court to act favorably thereon. Plaintiff having waived a jury trial, there must be a reasonable cause shown before a court will act. Merely changing one's mind after the time for demanding a jury trial has expired is not enough.
Order
And now, to wit, October 26, 1944, the petition of plaintiff is refused.