Court Opinion

ID: 9530688
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:02:45.404865+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:13.270169
License: Public Domain

UDALL, Vice Chief Justice
(specially concurring in the dissent).
I agree with Justice STRUCKMEYER in his dissenting opinion that the trial court should be affirmed. It is my view that he has properly interpreted the minute order made by the trial court wherein it was ordered, on December 22, 1959, that a new trial be granted to the defendant. It is my opinion that the remarks made to the jury by the plaintiff’s counsel were improper and erroneous since he tried to convey to the jury the fact that the defendants were insured as to liability in the case. I agree that the statement made by counsel for the defendant, that “$8,600 is a lot of money to the defendant”, can in no sense be considered as a provocative statement that would invite the improper remarks that were made by plaintiff’s counsel. I also agree that the majority has misapplied the principles of law enunciated by us in the recent Muehlebach case in rendering their decision in the present case.
I disagree, however, with the last part of the minority opinion wherein it is indicated that the Muehlebach decision is erroneous. It appears to me that the latter part of the dissenting opinion seeks to reverse and undermine the principles laid down in Muehlebach. I do not believe it is necessary to discredit that opinion in order to sustain the position taken by the trial court in this case.
For these reasons I agree that the trial court should be affirmed.