Court Opinion

ID: 9568297
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:02:18.712964+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:24:33.843840
License: Public Domain

Gunter, Justice,
dissenting.
I am in agreement with all the majority opinion except one sentence. That one sentence is as follows: "The improper remarks in the instant case were so prejudicial that no corrective action by the trial court could eradicate their effect upon the jury.”
After the trial judge had overruled the plaintiffs motion for a mistrial based upon prejudicial remarks made in the presence of the jury by defendant’s counsel, plaintiffs counsel then stated to the court in the presence of the jury: "we humbly accept, your Honor, respectfully accept.” Although the transcript has the words spelled "accept” in both places, indicating that the plaintiffs attorney "accepted” the court’s denial of his motion for a mistrial, I am inclined to believe that the plaintiffs attorney actually "excepted” to the overruling of his motion.
Nevertheless, defendant’s counsel then resumed his opening statement and before concluding a single sentence the trial judge interrupted defendant’s counsel and said: "Mr. Kelly, excuse me for interrupting you. I would like to instruct the jury in connection with the motion just made to disregard any mention of any prior claim. That would have no bearing on the issues to be here determined today. I did want to add that to my overruling of the motion for a mistrial.” Following this interruption by the court defendant’s counsel continued with his opening statement to the jury, and there were no further objections or exceptions taken as reflected by the transcript.
I am of the opinion that the corrective action taken by the trial judge in the entire context of the colloquy between the court and counsel for the parties was sufficient to eradicate any prejudicial statements that may have been made by counsel for the defendant. In any event, as I read this transcript, the judgment of the trial court following the trial should not be reversed solely on the basis of the trial judge not granting a mistrial at the *223beginning of the case.
I think that the denial by the trial judge of a mistrial in this case was proper. I also think that the corrective action taken by the trial judge was adequate to permit the trial to proceed to verdict and judgment, and having so proceeded, the trial court’s judgment should not now be reversed. I would reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals which reversed the judgment of the trial court.
I respectfully dissent.