Case Name: DR. O. A. KRON, Respondent, v. G. A. BODMER, Appellant
Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: North Dakota
Decision Date: 1933-07-29
Citations: 63 N.D. 686
Docket Number: File No. 6183
Parties: DR. O. A. KRON, Respondent, v. G. A. BODMER, Appellant.
Judges: Nuessle, Ch. J., and Bikdzell, Christianson and Bunn, JJ., concur.
Reporter: North Dakota Reports
Volume: 63
Pages: 686–694

Head Matter:
[File No. 6183.]
DR. O. A. KRON, Respondent, v. G. A. BODMER, Appellant.
(249 N. W. 772.)
Opinion filed July 29, 1933.
George A. McGee, Harry E. Dickinson and II. E. Johnson, for appellant.
B. II. Bradford, E. B. Sinkler and G. O. Brekke, for respondent.

Opinion:
Burke, J.
This is an action for malicious prosecution. At the close of all of the testimony the defendant moved tbe court for a directed verdict in bis favor, which motion was denied and a verdict returned by the jury for the plaintiff. Thereafter the defendant moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or in the alternative, for a new trial. The motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict was denied, the motion for a new trial was granted and the defendant appeals from the order denying motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
It is the contention of appellant, first that probable cause for the arrest of the plaintiff was established as a matter of law and that there was no question for the jury. Second, that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence and is not justified. Third, that there is no reasonable probability that the defects in proof necessary to support the verdict may be remedied on another trial and judgment notwithstanding the verdict should have been granted.
The plaintiff, a dentist, practised his profession, since 1906, in an office in a building owned by the defendant, in the city of Kenmare, North Dakota, excepting during a few years when he was away from Kenmare, and fie occupied the same office on his return in 1928.
The plaintiff Kron was fifty years old at the time of the altercation and weighed 215 pounds. The defendant Bodmer was at the time sixty-seven years of age, weighing 165 pounds and afflicted with high blood pressure, which affliction was known to the plaintiff at the time. The plaintiff Kron used intoxicating liquor to excess frequently and at times would call up the defendant, and others, on the telephone and talk in such an irrational and abnormal way that several of the telephone patrons requested the telephone operator not to call their numbers for, Kron.
Kron testified that "about 9:15 in the evening of December 16, 1930, I was getting my mail in the postoffice. Mr. Bodmer came in. I was standing reading my letter at the desk. He walked by me and said TIello there you'-of a-¡ You did not get your license revoked that time but I will get it from you yet.' I turned around, looked at him, and he had his fists tightened up and I put any hands on his arms this way. I took hold of his shoulders. A little girl came in and he said 'Little girl call the police.' I walked right out. I didn't pay no attention to him. I did not say -anything to him. As soon as be called tbe police I walked out and went borne." On cross examination. be testified: "At tbe time of tbe altercation I weighed 215 pounds. I did not do anything until I saw bis fists clinched. I put my bands on bis shoulders. I held him by tbe shoulders. I held him until be told tbe girl to call the police, then I let go and walked out and then at this time Stalberg raised tbe window and looked out. I left him in tbe postoffice when I went out." Stalberg testified that when be opened tbe window there was nobody in tbe postoffice but Bodmer.
Continuing tbe plaintiff Kron testified: "I bad trouble with Bodmer before this incident in tbe postoffice. Once or twice in bis store. Nobody present but bis clerks. We talked a little but be did not say nothing much at all. Ho stood there, took it, and then be walked away from me, walked to one of bis clerks and bad them call bis officer. He was on tbe inside of tbe counter and I was on tbe outside. Tbe officer or tbe mayor came, took me up to tbe city ball, relieved me of ten dollars and let me go. Afterwards I went up to bis bouse. I certainly did feel like telling him what I thought about him. He came to tbe door looked through tbe glass, but di'd not open it, then went away."
Tbe next day, after tbe altercation in the postoffice, Bodmer went to 1hc state's attorney's office in Minot and made a long statement to the state's attorney relating to tbe difficulties between him and Kron including a statement of a complaint made by tbe defendant to the dental board concerning the conduct of tbe plaintiff as a dentist. He even presented to tbe assistant state's attorney tbe correspondence be bad with tbe dental board and told tbe same story to tbe assistant state's attorney that be told on tbe stand as a witness in tbe instant case. Tbe assistant state's attorney drew a complaint which tbe defendant signed and which complaint is made tbe basis of plaintiff's cause of action against tbe defendant, and reads as follows: "Gf. A. Bodmer being-first duly sworn and examined on oath makes complaint and says that Hr. 0. A. Kron did on tbe 16th day of December 1930 in tbe City of Kenmare in said County and State, Commit tbe crime of Attempt to Commit a Felony which said crime was committed as follows, to-wit: That at tbe said time and place tbe said Dr. 0. A. Kron did wilfully, unlawfully, feloniously and maliciously on tbe 16th day of Dec. 1930, attempt to commit a felony, to-wit: that at said time and place, said defendant grabbed this complainant and did at the same time threaten that be was going to commit tbe crime of murdering tbe said complaining witness; that tbe complainant prevented tbe commission of said crime by dislodging bimself from tbe defendant and to escape from bim." A warrant was issued on this complaint and tbe plaintiff was arrested and brought to Minot and bad a preliminary examination. Tbe record of tbis preliminary examination shows that Kron was represented by able counsel. It was stipulated that tbe testimony be taken and transcribed. Eight witnesses were sworn for tbe state, including most of tbe witnesses who testified in tbe instant case. There was no testimony offered by tbe defendant. Tbis complaint charges only assault and battery. In tbe charging part of tbe complaint it states "that at tbe said time and place, said defendant grabbed tbis complainant and did at tbe same time threaten that be was going to commit tbe crime of murdering tbe said complaining witness; that tbe complainant prevented tbe commission of said crime by dislodging bimself from tbe defendant and to escape from bim." Tbis complaint does not charge a crime to commit a felony, it charges only assault and battery and is not a very good complaint for that. Tbe 16th day of December, 1930 was a very cold day. Tbe plaintiff and defendant bad on very heavy overcoats, buttoned up around them. Their meeting in tbe postoffice was a chance meeting and was sudden, without any time for premeditation. Neither knew that tbe other was in the postoffice until they met and then, according to tbe complaint, Dr. O. A. Kron grabbed Bodmer and threatened to kill bim.
There is no allegation showing any ability or facility on tbe part of Dr. Kron to commit any offense but tbe offense of assault and battery and the ability to commit a felony is negatived by the statement that "tbe complainant prevented tbe commission of said crime by dislodging bimself from tbe defendant and to escape from bim."
We have read carefully tbe statement made by Bodmer to the assistant state's attorney at Minot and tbe testimony of tbe assistant state's attorney as to tbe complaint made to bim by tbe defendant at that time and there is nothing in tbe statement which charges anything more than assault and battery. According to tbe testimony of Dr. Kron, be was guilty of assault and'battery and therefore there was probable cause for tbe issuing of tbe complaint. Dr. Kron says that when Bodmer came into tbe postoffice be walked by bim and said ' 'Hello there yon-of a-. Yon did not get yonr license revoked that time, but I will get it from you yet.' I turned around, looked at him and he had his fists tightened up and I put my hands on his arms this way. I took hold of his shoulders. A little girl came in. He said 'Little girl call the police.' I walked right out." In_ other words he grabbed the defendant, just as the complaint says and this was an assault and battery, as charged in the complaint and not justified, for words never justify a battery.
Kron does not claim that Bodmer assaulted or attempted to assault him and the statement which he says the defendant made at the time negatives any attempt to assault him. If the defendant made the statement which the plaintiff claims he made at that time, his mind was not on an attempt to assault Kron but he was thinking about getting his license to practice dentistry away from him. Kron says that Bod-mer had his fists tightened but he did not offer to use them and when he asked the girl to call the police, according to Kron's testimony,- he let him go and walked out and still there was no attempt on the part of the defendant to strike or assault Kron. This testimony of assault and battery is not disputed but is corroborated by the defendant and by the little girl, who by the way, wasn't so small, as she was nearly seventeen years of age, and it is practically conceded by Kron's counsel, in his argument to the jury. He said: "We claim that he (Bodmer) came to Minot with a matter which he would ordinarily, and which you and I would ordinarily take right to our local justice. Now wouldn't we? If you had any trouble. . I assume that you have all heard of disorderly conduct. Of course I don't know what the ordinances of the city of Kenmare are, you don't know what they are, but I think that we may assume that they are the usual ordinances that provide against breaches of the peace, disorderly conduct and the like; those are universal in all towns and cities of the like, and villages, and I leave it to you whether they are not taken care of locally and pre-emptorily, just as Mr. Kron's case was taken care of in 1927 or 8; (when they) took him up and relieved him of ten dollars and that was all there was to it. And isn't that the way those things were handled, and isn't that all the dignity any of them are entitled to at any time. That is the purpose of those small penalty ordinances, to cover just such situations. But Mr. Bodmer was not satisfied with that; he came down here to get a serious punishment for this man. He came down for the purpose of forcing him into jail. lie came down here for the purpose of forcing' him to put up a large bond. He came down here for the purpose of creating the impression in Kenmare that he was an undesirable character and unfit to practice dentistry in that city, just as he had endeavored to have the dental board believe two years before. Now that is just exactly what happened, exactly what he did. He came down here with malice in his heart and he procured the issuance of this warrant, and he procured the arrest of this plaintiff and he brought him from Kenmare to come down here and threw him into jail, just as if he had done it with his own hands, just exactly as if he had brought him dovm here and threw him into jail and subjected him to that disgrace and that expense and to the disgrace of his family and disgrace of the community. That is what he did. Those are the acts we ask him to answer for. But he will attempt to hide behind the assistant state's attorney, and the assistant state's attorney will spread his skirts for the purpose of hiding Mr. Bodmer behind him."
This argument was highly prejudical but at the same time it is an admission that Dr. Kron did something on that night for which he should be brought to justice.
"Where there is no dispute about the facts, it is the duty of the court on the trial to apply the law to them and pronounce upon the legal effect of the evidence without the intervention of the jury. Facts constituting probable cause is a question for the court." Newell, Malicious Prosecution, p. 278. See also Miekle v. Rode, 58 N. D. 465, 226 N. W. 507; Lux v. Bendewald, 58 N. D. 761, 227 N. W. 550.
That the plaintiff is guilty of assault and battery is proved by his own testimony. It is not disputed in that respect. A case very much in point is the case of Benner v. Walsh, 193 App. Div. 962, 184 N. Y. Supp. 340. In this case the court said: "The fact that the trial jury in the county court acquitted one is immaterial in an action for damages for malicious prosecution, where on plaintiff's own story there was probable cause for arrest. As to the cause of action for malicious prosecution, the plaintiff's evidence show's her guilty of assault, as well as of the other crimes indicated as above. Upon examination, she was held- for the action of the grand jury, and subsequently indicted. The fact that the trial jury in the county court acquitted her does not alter the fact that on her own story there was probable cause for her arrest."
In the case of Bailey v. Collehon, 16 W. Va. 322, 85 S. E. 556, at page 558, the West Virginia court said: "The remaining inquiry is whether the admitted and established facts make a case of probable cause as a matter of law. In cases of this class, as in others, the province of the jury has its peculiar, established and necessary limitations. What constitutes probable cause is a question of law for the court, when the facts, or enough of them to make it out, are undisputed or clearly established. 'To determine such a question, no matter how numerous and complicated the supposed facts may be, the court is peculiarly fitted, as it must largely depend on correct views of the law. A jury would be peculiarly unfitted to determine wisely such a question. In its nature it is a question of law and not of fact. That is, if negligence be the question the deduction to be drawn from supposed or admitted facts is generally a question of fact for the jury; but if want of probable cause is the question, this deduction to be drawn from the supposed or admitted facts is always a question of law for the court to decide! " Vinal v. Core, 38 W. Va. 1, 37.
"The public policy upon which this limitation upon the power of the jury, in actions for malicious prosecution, rests, is forcibly and well stated,by Judge Marshall, in Farris v. Starke, 3 B. Mon. 4, as follows: 'If every man, who suffers by the perpetration of crime, were bound under the penalty of heavy damages to ascertain, before he commences a prosecution, that he has such evidence as will insure a conviction, few prosecutions would be set on foot, the guilty would escape, while conclusive evidence was being sought for; offences of every grade would for the most part, go unpunished, and the penal law would be scarcely more than a dead letter. The law therefore protects the prosecutor, that is, if he has such ground, as would induce a man of ordinary prudence and discretion to believe in the guilt and to expect the conviction of the person suspected, and if he acts in good faith on such belief and expectation. The question is not, whether the party was guilty, but whether the plaintiff had reasonable ground from the facts known to him and those communicated to him to believe and actually did believe the plaintiff guilty.' "
"Whether the facts and circumstances established by uncontradieted evidence amount to probable cause in an action for malicious prosecution is a question of law for the court, and not an issue of fact for the jury." Kersenbrock v. Security State Bank, 120 Neb. 561, 234 N. W. 419; Turner v. O'Brien, 5 Neb. 542; Dreyfus v. Aul, 29 Neb. 191, 45 N. W. 282; Nehr v. Dobbs, 47 Neb. 863, 66 N. W. 864; Bechel v. Pacific Exp. Co. 65 Neb. 826, 91 N. W. 853; Bank of Miller v. Richmon, 68 Neb. 731, 94 N. W. 998; and other cases cited in note in L.R.A.1915D, 5, 8; Michael v. Natson, 81 Kan. 360, 105 Pac. 537, L.R.A.1915D, 1.
"In clear cases the question of want of probable cause for instituting a criminal prosecution is one of law for the court." Brown v. Selfridge, 224 U. S. 189, 56 L. ed. 727, 32 S. Ct. 444.
Malice is a question of fact; but what facts and circumstances amount to probable cause is a pure question of law. Lacey v. Porter, 103 Cal. 597, 37 Pac. 635; Ball v. Rawles, 93 Cal. 222, 28 Pac. 937, 27 Am. St. Rep. 174; Stone v. Crocker, 24 Pick. 84; Thompson v. Beacon Valley Rubber Co. 56 Conn. 493, 16 Atl. 554.
The complaint, which is the basis of the plaintiff's cause of action in the instant case, charges Dr. Kron with the offense of assault and battery only. His testimony proves that he was guilty of the offense as charged. Being guilty of the offense there was probable cause for the making of the complaint' and the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict should have been granted.
The order denying plaintiff's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict is reversed and the action dismissed.
Nuessle, Ch. J., and Bikdzell, Christianson and Bunn, JJ., concur.