Court Opinion

ID: 6636443
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 20:40:36.938516+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:59:04.795347
License: Public Domain

J. H. Gillis, P. J.
(dissenting). Plaintiff was driving his pickup truck west on Eight Mile road, a divided highway, on Detroit’s northern boundary. He made a left turn at Greeley and while proceeding across the eastbound section of Eight Mile road was struck by the eastbound car of the defendant Henson.1
There was substantial evidence to support a finding that the Henson car was engaged in a race with the car of the defendants Mohney.2 An apparently disinterested witness estimated the speed of the defendants’ vehicles to be between 70 and 75 miles per hour when they were just two short city blocks3 away from the accident, with the two cars almost adjacent to each other and young Henson slightly in the lead. At the time of impact, the same witness testified Mohney was less than half a block behind Henson.
Both defendant-drivers testified and denied being engaged in a race, denied excessive speed, and young Mohney placed himself two blocks from the accident at the time of impact. Young Mohney admitted that he might have told the prosecutor that Ronald Henson signaled to him that he wanted to race. He *698likewise' stated in bis deposition that Henson was going -between 65 and 80 miles an hour.
Plaintiff brought suit for the serious injuries he sustained in the accident and the jury returned a verdict of $40,000. Of the several questions raised by appellants, only two merit discussion and they revolve around supplementary instructions to the jury and the manner in which the verdict was received by the court.4
My colleagues on this panel agree that the court’s initial charge to the jury was accurate and complete. Indeed appellants do not challenge it on this appeal. The problem herein arose after the jury commenced its deliberations when it returned and posed the question:
“If we find that Henson was guilty of gross negligence and that a race was started between Henson and Mohney and that Annoni was guilty of contributory negligence in Hensons’ case, how does this affect the liability of Mohney?”
This question generated an “in chambers” discussion between the court and counsel which was not made a matter of record. The trial commenced May 20, 1963, terminated June 7, 1963, and the jury had deliberated almost a day. and a half, when, in what he termed “an excess of caution” the trial court, without objection from the counsel for any of the parties,5 answered the jury’s question as follows:
*699“If you should find that Henson and Mohney we're engaged in a;;-race; if you should further find that the driver Henson is guilty of gross negligence, as previously defined by the court, then it would be necessary for you to bring in a special verdict, or an answer to a so-called special question. The court would require you to bring in to be received by the cleric of this court, a finding as to whether young Mohney was guilty of ordinary negligence, as defined, or guilty of gross negligence.6 (Emphasis supplied.)
“Thereafter, the court and able counsel will take it up as a matter of law.
“Do you understand what my answer is? .
“Jury members. Yes.
“The Court. On an ‘iffy’ basis, if you find as I have indicated in response to your question given to the court now, the.court would still require you to bring in a specific finding as to whether or not young Mohney was guilty of ordinary negligence or gross negligence.
“Is it clear?
“Foreman of the jury. Your Honor, this means we go back and make certain decisions, and then we will return for further instructions?
“The Court. No, this contemplates you will resume your deliberations and bring in a verdict, a general verdict, but also bring in an answer to the question I have given you, namely, an answer to the .question whether you find driver Mohney guilty of ordinary negligence or gross negligence. (Emphasis supplied.)
“Therefore, the question of his ultimate liability will be decided by the court as a matter of law.
“Do you understand?
“Foreman of the jury. Yes.
*700“The Court. This contemplates you will resume your deliberations and bring in a general verdict. (Emphasis supplied.)
“Thank you.”
Following an hour of further deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict which was recorded as follows:
“Foreman of the jury. We find for the plaintiff.
“We find for Henson, son and father, guilty of gross negligence.
“We find Annoni was guilty of contributory negligence.
“We find Mohneys, son and father, guilty of ordinary negligence.
“We find for a total of $40,000.
“The Court. Under the previous instructions to the jury, and in accordance with prior advance to counsel, of record in this cause, the matter of the operation of this verdict, as against defendants Mohney, will remain a question of law for argument by able counsel and for adjudication by this court as a question of law.
“With that in mind, you may ask them.
“Cleric. Members of the jury, you will listen to your verdict as recorded, you say upon your oath you find in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendants, Eonald L. Henson and Theodore Henson, for wanton and wilful misconduct in the sum of $40,000; so say you, Mr. Foreman, and so say you, members of the jury?
“Jury members. We do.”
The jurors were then individually polled and the following proceedings took place:
“The Court. Mr. Foreman and ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is the court to understand and are able counsel to understand, that you made a finding that the younger Henson and the younger Mohney did engage in a race as defined by the court?
“Foreman of the jury. Yes.
*701“The Court. Do able counsel for the respective parties, who worked very hard in this case, have any further inquiries they would like to make at this time.
“Mr. Fieger. One, Your Honor.
“In regard to the request of the clerk as to the verdict of the court, the question was asked of them was solely as to the wilful and wantonness as to Henson on $40,000. Should not the request be made to them on ordinary negligence as against Mohney in the same amount?
“The Court. As to the operation, as to whether—
“Mr. Fieger (interposing). I understand, Your Honor.
“The Court. As to the operation, as to whether the verdict will stand as to the Mohneys, is a question of law, but I think the clerk may ask the foreman, and then the jury individually if it is their finding that defendant Mohney was guilty of ordinary negligence?
“Clerh of the Court. Members of the jury, will you listen further to your verdict as recorded? You say upon your oath that you find the defendants, Glenn Mohney, Jr., and Glenn Mohney, Sr., guilty of ordinanry negligence? So say you, Mr. Foreman, and so say you, members of the jury?
(“Members of the jury polled.) * * *
“Mr. McBrearty. Your Honor, may I interpose.
“Maybe the question is confusing. Since we want to avoid a new trial in this case, it might be advisable for the jury to say on this record, whether or not they, in fact, found, other than they have already stated, that Mohney Junior was engaged in a race?
“The Court. We covered that.
“Mr. McBrearty. Yes. Whether or not he, Glenn Mohney, Junior, was responsible in damages to Anthony Annoni?
“The Court. I think we have covered that. We covered the race.
“Mr. McBrearty. I think the jury should be inquired of this.
*702“The Court. Counsel, we have by previous direction told them that the matter of whether or not the judgment is to be offered against Mohney, is a matter of law to be determined by the court after argument by able counsel.
“I am delighted to propound to the jury and to take their responses collectively and individually, any question that bears upon the interest of your client, or your brother’s clients. I think that has already been answered.
“Let me put it again.
“Mr. McBrearty. Your Honor, here is my point. Here is my point entirely. This is more than a question of law, this is a question what the jury finds against the persons I represent.
“Now, if they are saying by their verdict—
“Mr. Fieger (interposing). Excuse me. I must interrupt.
“The potentiality at this point, if the possibility occurs, the jury to return to their room for further deliberations, and the potentiality of difficulty if our arguments on law is noted, and since the jury is sitting there, I would strictly ask the court to consider the problem—
“The Court (interposing). I think we have covered all the matters that can be covered except for the poll of the jury. I will be glad to allow counsel, at a later time to argue any proposition of law they wish to argue.
“Counsel, do you have anything further?
“Mr. M our ad. I ask in behalf of Mr. Henson was Anthony Annoni contributorily negligent?
“The Court. It was already covered.
“Mr. M our ad. What was their return?
“The Court. I have already said that. There is no question about that.
“Foreman of the jury. That was in what I read.
“The Court. All right.
“Mr. McBrearty. Your Honor, the very point at issue here is, does this jury, by their verdict, find against Mohney Junior and Senior? And I am still *703bewildered by their verdict, because I don’t know what their answer is on this. I think we are entitled to know. We will never have a chance to inquire of this jury again.
“The Court. The determination of that question, they have told us they found Mohney guilty of ordinary negligence, and then it becomes a question of law, since they found a race by their verdict and finding, whether or not one was guilty of ordinary negligence while the other was guilty of gross negligence, may be bound by this verdict. That is a question of law. (Emphasis supplied.)
“I appreciate the concern of able counsel, and I think we have covered all possible matters upon which inquiry can be properly made of this jury.”
Based upon the jury’s verdict a judgment was entered in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendants, jointly and severally, in the amount of $40,000.
This opinion will deal with two questions: (1)
Did the trial court correctly apply substantive legal principles in entering a judgment against the four defendants? and (2) Did the irregularities that occurred when the verdict was accepted so prejudice any of the appellants that a new trial must be ordered?

The Application of Substantive Law

It has been repeatedly held that contributory negligence will not prevent a plaintiff from recovering for injuries sustained by the grossly negligent actions of the defendant. Flanagan v. Arnold (1926), 236 Mich 180. Appellants do not argue this point, but appellants Mohney insist that since the jury found them guilty only of ordinary negligence, the defense of contributory negligence bars plaintiff from any relief against them.
*704This argument ignores the additional finding of the jury that the two defendant-drivers were engaged in a race. Defendants’ concert of action, being in violation of law  and negligent, makes them joint tort-feasors. See Benson v. Ross (1906), 143 Mich 452 (114 Am St Rep 675). It was unnecessary for the plaintiff to establish an express agreement between the two defendant-drivers.
“All that is required is that there be a tacit understanding, as where two automobile drivers suddenly and without consultation decide to race their cars on the public highway.” Prosser, Torts (3d ed 1964), § 43, p 259.
Since Mohney was a joint tort-feasor with one found guilty of gross negligence, it follows that plaintiff’s contributory negligence does not bar a recovery against Mohney. Joint tort-feasors are equally liable for the conduct of the most culpable.
“Where there is a concerted action toward a common end, both parties are liable for all acts within the scope of the undertaking.” King v. Herfurth (1943), 306 Mich 444. See, also, Fisher v. Rumler (1927), 239 Mich 224.
“Those of the wrongdoers who are sued together and found guilty in an action of tort are liable for the whole injury to the plaintiff, without examining the question of the different degrees of culpability.” Washington Gas Light Co. v. Lansden (1899), 172 US 534, 552 (19 S Ct 296, 43 L ed 543), quoted in Bowerman v. Detroit Free Press (1937), 279 Mich 480, 490.

Irregularities in Accepting the Verdict

Appellants’ main reliance for reversal is upon the failure of the trial court to comply with the provi*705sions of GCK. 1963, 514.8 While this opinion should not he read as approving the procedures adopted by the trial judge, we review his action mindful of the provisions of CLS 1961, §§ 600.2301, 600.2315 (Stat Ann 1962 Kev §§ 27A.2301, 27A.2315). We cannot perceive how the defendants were prejudiced in any way by the manner in which the jury delivered its verdict.
As to the defendants Henson, a general verdict was rendered against them. It was not until after the verdict was rendered and the jury polled that the court inquired specially of the jury if they found that Henson and Mohney did engage in a race. At no time prior to the rendition of the verdict did the court suggest that the jury find any fact specially as to the liability of the defendants Henson. Clearly, his subsequent interrogation and the subsequent interrogation by counsel for both parties could not possibly have prejudiced the Hensons’ rights and for that reason the judgment as to them should be affirmed.
As to the Mohneys a different problem is involved. No general verdict was brought in against them. After the jury sent its question, noted above, to the court and after a full discussion of the matter in chambers between the court and counsel, the court decided not to allow a general verdict as to the Mohneys. The trial judge justified his actions in *706this respect in his opinion denying the Mohneys’ motion for new trial.
“The jury did not bring in a general, verdict against the defendants here involved [the Mohneys] because of the court’s explicit instructions that they should not do so; it should be emphasized again that this instruction vas given in [an] excess of caution to protect the rights of these defendants because of the novel question of law raised. We submit that it is a question of law for the court and this court properly entered verdicts against these defendants since there is no degree of culpability of consequence as between joint tort-feasors.”
The need for a special verdict to protect the rights of the Mohneys did not become apparent to either the court or counsel until after the jury made its inquiry. It would be an unreasonable construction of Rule 514 to say that counsel could not at that time agree to a special verdict under such circumstances. Apparently that is what was done in the off-the-record discussion in chambers. No objection was noted on the record.
Essentially then what we are asked to do is to set aside a verdict because the special questions asked of the jury were not required to be answered in writing. Not only was there no objection to this procedure, but counsel for both defendants participated in orally asking special findings of fact from the jury after the verdict was returned.
It is somewhat ironic that Mohneys’ counsel seeks a new trial because special findings were requested of the jury when he himself stated at the time the verdicts were returned:
“Since we want to avoid a new trial in this case, it might be advisable for the jury to say on this record whether or not they, in fact, found other *707than they have already stated that Mohney, Jr., was engaged in a race.” (Emphasis supplied.)
We do not deem it necessary to decision in this case to express an opinion whether Buie 514 would he violated in a multiple defendant case by the return of a general verdict as to some defendants and special verdicts as to others in the face of a timely objection. Suffice it to say, that no prejudice resulted to any of the defendants by the procedure adopted- by the court. The special findings of the jury were entirely consistent with the general verdict and the subsequent judgments.
In the case of Standard Oil Company v. Gonser (1951), 331 Mich 29, 33, the Court cited approvingly the language from Rabior v. Kelley (1916), 194 Mich 107, 117, as follows:
“There can be no doubt that where the intention of the jury is ascertainable the court may amend the verdict, correcting manifest errors of form, and sometimes matters of substance, to make it conform to the intention of the jury.”
See, also, In re Sorter’s Estate (1946), 314 Mich 488 (164 ALR 985), where the Court questioned the jury to determine the meaning of its verdict.
I would affirm the judgment below.

 The ear was owned by defendant Theodore Henson and with his consent operated by the defendant Ronald L. Henson. See CLS 1961, § 257.401 (Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 9.2101).

 This ear was owned by the defendant Glenn L. Mohney, Sr., and with his consent operated by the defendant Glenn L. Mohney, Jr. It was not directly involved in the accident.

 Each block was 216 feet long and the paved street between the blocks was 30 feet wide.

 These are the only points raised on appeal by the Mohneys. The claim of the Hensons that there was insufficient proof to support a finding of gross negligence or wilful and wanton misconduct is without merit.

 In his opinion denying defendants’ motion for a new trial,"the trial court said, “[The jury] came in with the specific inquiry that has been alluded to by all counsel here today, and again this was taken up very carefully, both in chambers and on the record outside, with-counsel. I think it is rather interesting to note in passing, that at no time did counsel for any of the defendants ever interpose any objection whatsoever to the queries that the court told counsel it Vas going to make of the jury.” ...: ....

 Mohneys contend the emphasized statement improperly left the jury only two alternatives—to find ordinary negligence or gross negligence on young Mohney’s part. This is reading the court’s instruction out of context. It was clearly supposed by both the court and jüry that such would be the jury’s alternatives. “If you should find that Henson and Mohney were engaged in a raee,” (Emphasis ^up-plied.) ...

 GCR 1963, 514, provides in part as follows: “The court may require the jury to return a special verdict in the form of a special written finding upon each issue of fact and in such eases no general verdict shall be returned. If a special verdict is to be required, the court shall, in advance of argument and in the absence of the jury, advise counsel of this fact and on the record or in writing settle the form of the verdict. In that event the court may submit to the jury written questions susceptible of categorical or other brief answer or may submit written forms of the several special findings whieli might properly be made under the pleadings and evidence; or it may use such other method of submitting the issues and requiring the written findings thereon as it deems most appropriate.” (Emphasis supplied.)