Court Opinion

ID: 6967629
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 01:56:44.292793+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:08:40.701350
License: Public Domain

Mr. Justice Wilkin delivered the opinion of the court: The rule that this court is concluded by the judgment of the Appellate Court as to the facts in issue, as seems to be admitted by counsel for appellant in their brief, does not apply to causes in chancery. We think, however, that in view of the conflicting nature of the evidence in this case the verdict of the jury could not properly be interfered with, even if we were asked to do so. It is first insisted by counsel for the appellant that the trial court erred in sustaining* the demurrer to his amendment to the original bill. Prom the record it does not appear that this question is properly preserved for review. Appellant did not stand by his amended bill, but, on answer to the original bill, proceeded to a hearing upon the same without objection. We cannot, therefore, pass upon the sufficiency of the amendment. On motion for a new trial affidavits of several persons were presented, stating that they had heard one of the jurors, after rendering the verdict, remark that appellant was entitled to the verdict but it was given to appellee because both wanted a divorce, and the jury thought she should have something but would not get anything if they found for him. The law is settled that a juror cannot afterwards be heard to question the manner by which he arrived at his verdict. (Smith v. Eames, 3 Scam. 76; Niccolls v. Foster, 89 Ill. 386.) Nor can evidence of outsiders as to facts derived from members of the jury concerning their action be received to impeach a verdict. (Allison v. People, 45 Ill. 37.) We think the court properly disregarded these affidavits. The principal question urged on this appeal is as to the giving and refusing of instructions. At the instance of the appellee the court gave an instruction explaining to the jury what constituted extreme and repeated cruelty sufficient, under our law, to authorize a finding. It is objected that this instruction entirely ignores the question of condonation. We do not think the instruction erroneous for that omission. It was not necessary that this single instruction should state the whole of the law applicable to the case. The first and third of appellant’s instructions clearly and forcibly state what constitutes condonation and its effect upon the right to sue for a divorce. In no view of the case could the instruction objected to be said to be erroneous or misleading. It is insisted, also, that the court erred in refusing instructions asked by appellant as to the preponderance of evidence. Other instructions offered on his behalf correctly state the rule that a party must prove his cause by a preponderance of the testimony, and the instruction asked was, we think, but an attempt to state the same rule in two ways, and being superfluous the instruction was properly refused. From an examination of the whole record we are unable to discover any reversible error, and the judgment of the Appellate Court affirming the decree of the circuit court will accordingly be affirmed. Judgment affirmed. Mr. Justice Boggs, having heard this case in the Appellate Court, took no part in the decision in this court.