Court Opinion

ID: 9735912
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 18:36:40.899413+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:27:02.814568
License: Public Domain

HOOD, Associate Judge
(concurring).
I do not agree with my colleagues that there was no evidence of negligence on the part of the theatre. In my opinion plaintiff made out a prima facie case from which it could well have been found that the ushers, who were alert enough to prevent boys from entering the theatre without payment of admission fees, should have displayed some of that same alertness in protecting this plaintiff from these two vicious attacks by young ruffians. But I do not think that is the question before us. When, at the close of plaintiff’s case, the defendant moved for a finding in its favor on the ground there was no showing of negligence on its part and the trial court denied that motion, in effect the trial court ruled that plaintiff had made out a prima facie case. When defendant then stood upon this motion and declined to offer any evidence, the case was submitted on its merits to the court as trier of the facts. After submission the trial court made a trial finding for defendant. I personally think that finding was wrong, but I cannot say it was so plainly wrong that this court would be justified in reversing it. Accordingly I concur in the result.