Opinion ID: 331609
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: state of decedent's mind

Text: A great deal of the testimony in this case surrounded the alleged state of mind of the decedent during the week prior to his death. The plaintiffs attempted to show that while Mr. Pfeffer was quite despondent at the first of the week, by Thursday and Friday he was becoming more encouraged that he could solve his financial problems. However, on Saturday, the day of his death, the creditors informed Mr. Whitehill that the loss of jewelry was one and one-half million dollars at wholesale price and Mr. Pfeffer's last minute attempt to borrow or somehow ransom the jewelry back through a mysterious Mr. Kalif failed. Also, on Saturday morning the insurance adjuster stated his opinion to Mr. Pfeffer that there was no coverage with respect to the losses sustained in the Battaglia transactions. The adjuster also stated that Mr. Pfeffer's spirits its were low. When he (the adjuster) heard of the death he assumed it was suicide. Mr. Pfeffer who was an egotistical and very proud man, knew that after he dictated his complete statement and it became public knowledge he would be held in complete and utter ridicule in the community. Subsequent to lunch and immediately prior to his death, Mr. Pfeffer had a conversation with Mr. Sid Morris, one of his employees, in which he said: 'Sid, you're terrific. Just keep working and do a good job.' He then shook hands limply and stated: 'I am going upstairs, I will be down in one minute.' Mrs. Pfeffer believed him to be desperate, particularly during the last week of his life. She also stated that at the luncheon several hours before Mr. Pfeffer's death, nothing was said that would indicate any hope of alleviating Mr. Pfeffer's financial problems.