Opinion ID: 1568387
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: On Motion to Modify Judgment.

Text: In the opinion filed in this case, it was held that the trial court should have directed a verdict for the defendant-appellant on the ground that the plaintiff's evidence disclosed that his negligence contributed to the injury for which he sought recovery. The order was that the cause be reversed and remanded for a new trial. The appellant has now filed its motion to modify such order by directing the lower court to render judgment in its favor. In support of such motion it is argued that the plaintiff has had a fair trial; that the record discloses that there were no witnesses to the accident, excepting the plaintiff; that he has told his own version of the accident; and that, under the law announced in the opinion in this case, the plaintiff can never recover unless his testimony is different upon a second trial; that a new trial can only serve to afford the plaintiff an opportunity to change his testimony, and to put the defendant to unnecessary expense. In Slocum v. New York Life Ins. Co., 228 U. S. 364, 33 S. Ct. 523, 57 L. Ed. 879, it was held that a Circuit Court of Appeals was without power to determine the facts in an action at common law, or to direct a judgment on the evidence, or lack of evidence. Conceding all that appellant claims as to the state of the record, it is clear that its motion must be denied. Motion denied.