Opinion ID: 374080
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Order of closing argument.

Text: 17 At trial each party presented its closing argument in the order it had presented evidence, i. e. Mrs. Martin, Chesebrough, Foster Forbes, and then Mrs. Martin in rebuttal. Chesebrough complains that the trial court should have granted its request for rebuttal to Foster Forbes' argument. Normally the party with the burden of proof has the right to open and close the argument to the jury. Where, however, several defendants plead over against each other, the order of their arguments as among themselves, rests within the sound discretion of the court. 88 C.J.S. Trial § 166. Where a defendant crossclaimed against a co-defendant for damages and contribution, it was held no abuse of discretion to refuse the first defendant rebuttal against his co-defendant. Dayoc v. Johnson, Ky., 427 S.W.2d 569 (1968). Here, where both Chesebrough and Foster Forbes have actions for indemnity or contribution against one another, both parties have a burden in proving claims against the other. Accordingly we find there was no abuse of discretion in refusing Chesebrough rebuttal to Foster Forbes. Cf. Giffin v. Ensign, 234 F.2d 307 (3rd Cir. 1956) (no abuse of discretion in trial court refusing rebuttal argument to operator and owner of vehicle against fellow defendants, manufacturer and assembler of automobile, even though plaintiff's case had focused primarily on the operator's and owner's negligence). Nor under Fed.R.Civ.P. 61 was the trial court's action inconsistent with substantial justice. 18 AFFIRMED.