Court Opinion

ID: 9739134
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:09:20.515486+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:10.226495
License: Public Domain

Michael J. Kelly, J.
(concurring in part and dissenting in part). I concur in parts I through hi *296of the majority opinion. I also agree that the award of actual costs and attorneys fees must be vacated. I disagree, however, that, under the guise of fortifying the sanctity of the jury room, a patent error must be condoned and a miscarriage of justice perpetuated. Mr. Bumble to the contrary notwithstanding. The record is clear that the violation of the court’s instructions to the jury was brought to the attention of the trial court well within the time limit for granting relief, and, in fact, defendant-appellant, in its prayer for relief requests the alternative remedy of remand to the trial court for a new trial.
It was well within the trial court’s authority to grant a new trial for failure or refusal of the jury to follow its instructions. MCR 2.611(A)(1)(e) and (g). Any relief obtainable in the trial court is obtainable in this Court under MCR 7.216(A)(7). I would therefore grant the relief appropriate to redress the error in this case and order remand for a new trial. I would also decline to award costs, neither party having prevailed.