Court Opinion

ID: 6900008
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-23 21:53:59.003894+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:06:08.393663
License: Public Domain

Per Curiam.
1. This is a suit for divorce in which each party is asking for a legal separation from the other ; the plaintiff by her complaint, and the defendant by his answer by way of cross-complaint. The basis of plaintiff’s suit is cruel and inhuman treatment; that of defendant alleged acts of adultery by the plaintiff. Mrs. Mills, by her own testimony and that of some other witnesses, shows that on two- occasions the defendant choked her while angry and used toward her some vile and opprobrious language. As to the personal violence, the proofs, on the other hand, indicate that upon each occasion the parties were engaged in an attempt each to retain possession of their minor child, and that, if any violence was exerted by defendant toward plaintiff, it was only to hold her away' so as to prevent her from taking the child from him. We are firmly of the view that there was no wilful purpose or desire on the part of defendant to do her personal injury, and it is very apparent that he did nothing of the kind.
2. There may have been some language used by the defendant towards plaintiff that was altogether inexcusable, but is also apparent that the plaintiff was equally as forceful in the same direction in her own expressions.directed towards the defendant, so that neither party can claim an advantage on that ground. As it pertains to the alleged threat to kill, the preponderance of the evidence disproves it. This disposed of plaintiff’s'cause of suit.
3. As to that preferred by the defendant, we are firmly convinced that it has been proven. The plaintiff has doubtless been guilty of acts of adultery with one Wid-dowson. This has been shown by a reliable witness who came upon them unawares in a comprising position, and by many other witnesses who. have taken note of their *248acts and demeanor until they have almost become a public scandal. The plaintiff and Widdowson deny that they have been guilty of any such unbecoming acts of indecency, but a careful reading of the whole evidence convicts them in our minds unquestionably of the charges. It is unnecessary in a case of this nature that we make extended reference to the evidence, or discuss the matter largely, but it is sufficient that we are convinced that the charges have been proven. These considerations lead to a reversal of the decree of the trial court. The plaintiff being in the fault, and because of her loose conduct, the custody of the minor child should be given to the father. The decree of this court will therefore be that the defendant have a divorce from the plaintiff, and that he have the care and custody of the minor child, subject to such opportune to see and visit it as the circuit court may, upon proper application, determine. ; Reversed.