Court Opinion

ID: 9638040
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 15:30:57.496886+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:03.011539
License: Public Domain

WHEAT, Chief Justice of the District Court
(dissenting).
(1) I agree with the conclusion reached in the first portion of the foregoing opinion which holds that the executor had a right to waive the privilege of the physicians and that it was not error for the trial court to permit them to testify. From the other conclusions as set forth in the opinion, I feel compelled to dissent.
(2) The jury was instructed in substance that the testimony of the two attesting witnesses to the will “other things being equal” was entitled to more weight as to the mental condition of the testatrix at the time she executed the will than was that of witnesses who were not present at the time of the execution of the will. It is to be observed that the instruction applies only to the mental condition of the testatrix “at the time she executed the will”, and should the jury be satisfied that the attesting witnesses were disinterested, intelligent and truthful. I think the instruction, as given, correctly states the law applicable to the situation and finds ample support in Robinson v. Duvall, 27 App.D.C. 535, affirmed 207 U.S. 583, 28 S.Ct. 260, 52 L.Ed. 351, and cases therein cited: The Berry Will Case, 93 Md. 560, 594, 49 A. 401; Brooke v. Townshend, 7 Gill 10, 27; Williams v. Lee, 47 Md. 321.
(3) I am unable to assent to the proposition that caveatee’s prayer No. 5 is confusing when considered in connection with caveator’s prayer No. 1 and certain of caveatee’s prayers. I think caveatee’s prayer No. 5 is a correct statement of the law, Gibson v. Collins, 55 App.D.C. 262, 4 F.2d 874, and, when read in connection with the other instructions, I am unable to believe that it could lead to any misunderstanding or confusion on the part of the jury.
I think the judgment should be affirmed.