Court Opinion

ID: 9648150
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 14:04:52.599731+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:22:27.415186
License: Public Domain

STORCKMAN, Judge
(concurring).
My views on the general rule of spousal immunity from liability for personal torts are expressed in the Brawner case, 327 S. W.2d 808. The reasons for such immunity between an unemancipated minor child and its parent are similar; the reasons for the exceptions to the rule are also similar in each of these family relations.
The preponderant logic for the exception in Ennis v. Truhitte, Mo., 306 S.W.2d 549, induced my concurrence although cogent reasons remain in such a case for the application of the general rule, a product of judicial decision. As indicated by the dissenting opinion in Ennis, the reasons for the exception in the Hamilton case, 285 S.W.2d 642, are less convincing than in the Ennis factual situation.
Whether family duties and responsibilities in our society have changed and attained a status where public policy demands literal construction of the age-old vow, “until death do us part”, is a question that should be considered and determined by the general assembly along with all other aspects of this problem. This determination could be made by the legislative body under the police power on broad considerations of the public good and not by limited adherence to rules of judicial decision.
However, until a majority of the court decides otherwise or the general assembly acts, I will abide by the decision of the court en banc in the Ennis case. Therefore I concur.