Court Opinion

ID: 6690410
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 21:37:12.574027+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:05.636480
License: Public Domain

ByNum, J.
This case is here by appeal from the rulings of his Honor, in the Court below, on questions of evidence.
1. Evidence had been given by the defendant that when Elizabeth Murphy, the deceased, assignor of the plaintiff, moved to her house, she brought with her a bag of gold and silver. To contradict this, the plaintiff was introduced in her own behalf and allowed to testify that Elizabeth did not bring any bag of gold or other coin, when she moved to her house. The defendant objected to this testimony on the ground that it was excluded by C. C. P., sec. 343. It is unnecessary to say how it would be, if the evidence had been material to the issue, but a sufficient answer to the objection is, that the evidence on both sides was wholly irrelevant and immaterial to the issues being tried. "What the bag of gold had to do with the matter, does not appear.
2. The defendant introduced witnesses who testified to cruel acts of mistreatment and undue influence by the plaintiff to*594wards Elizabeth Murphy, the intestate. The plaintiff, under objection, was introduced to explain and contradict this testimony, and did contradict it. When the defendant thus opened the door, by his own evidence, the matter was set at large, and the plaintiff’s rebutting and contradicting testimony became competent by the express provision of C. C. P., sec. 343.
3. McKethan was offered as a witness for the plaintiff, and objected to by the defendant, on the ground that he had been a former administrator on the estate of D. B. Murphy, deceased, and also had been the agent of Elizabeth Murphy. Even if these facts could have at any time affected his competency, they certainly do not affect it after these relations had ceased to exist, as was the case when he was offered.
4. At the request of the plaintiff’s counsel, the Court in the charge to the jury, instructed them that the action was properly brought, that is, as we understand it, as to the parties to the action. The jury had nothing to do with that question, whether correct or incorrect in law, but the exception of the defendant, that the instruction influenced the verdict of the jury, is rather far-fetched. It is not seen how it could reasonably have had that effect, as the jury was empannelled to try certain written issues of fact.
Per Curiam..
Judgment affirmed.