Court Opinion

ID: 9705268
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 01:00:57.61203+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:09.366283
License: Public Domain

ON PETITION FOR TRANSFER
DeBRULER, Justice,
dissenting.
I am in agreement with the Court of Appeals determination that the two sets of affidavits show a genuine issue as to a material fact which renders judgment as a matter of law within the meaning of Trial Rule 56(C) inappropriate. In the first set, the affiants declare the existence of a historical fact. In the second set other affi-ants provide a basis for an inference of the non-existence of the same historical fact. Such historical fact, namely knowledge of the plaintiff's officers of the allegedly negligent conduct of the defendant, is a material one about which there is a genuine issue. The case therefore should be submitted for trial on its merits. It seems to me that the conclusion reached by the majority, is based upon an evaluation of affidavits claiming first hand knowledge of a fact as having greater weight than affidavits which merely provide the basis for a deduction of the existence of a fact. All would agree that an evaluation of that sort is not one appropriate in deciding whether or not to grant summary judgment. Central Realty, Inc. v. Hillman's Equipment, Inc. (1969), 246 N.E.2d 383, 253 Ind. 48.