Court Opinion

ID: 5201036
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 15:52:28.388126+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:27:11.822127
License: Public Domain

Cochrane, J.:
The plaintiff has recovered a verdict for' personal injuries due to the defendant’s negligence. A single occurrence during the progress of the trial requires a- reversal of the judgment. Counsel for plaintiff asked the defendant’s superintendent this question : “ You have been transferred to another mill of this paper trust?” Defendant objected to. the term “ trustthe objection was' overruled, an exception taken, and the witness answered in the affirmative. Plaintiff’s counsel then asked this question : “ It is a trust, is it not ? ” This question was likewise, objected to, the objection was *40overruled, an exception taken, and tlie question was, then withdrawn. The first question assumed that the defendant was a trust and by the affirmative answer thereto the idea was conveyed to the .jury that the assumption was correct. The fact was proven as effectually as if the second question - had been answered affirmatively. For no purpose was it material to show that the defendant was a trust. The propounding of such questions which are calculated to prejudice or improperly affect the jury has been condemned. (Cosselmon v. Dunfee, N. Y. 507.) . In that case the condemnation applied' to a question which was excluded by the court. But here the questions received the judicial sanction of the trial" court. The improper rulings placed before the jury as proper evidence the fact that the defendant was a trust, which fact in no aspect of the case was pertinent .and left the jury at liberty to take such fact into •consideration in arriving at their verdict.
Plaintiff’s counsel now urges that the rulings could have done no harm because it already appeared in evidence that the defendant had large plants in. different localities which turned'out large products. Such facts are not necessarily inconsistent with financial weakness, whereas the commonly accepted idea of a. trust is that it is a combination of different corporations of great financial strength. There Avas no evidence that the defendant was a trust until the questions above set forth were propounded.
We are unwilling to listen to the argument that such questions are harmless. If harmless they should not be persisted in against' the objection of the opposing party. Counsel pressing such questions must expect to derive some benefit therefrom and the argument on appeal that, no benefit was in fact derived is to say the least'ungracious. . We are disposed to assume that such questions Avhicli are immaterial for any purpose have the effect" with the jury which Avas intended or- desired when.the questions were asked.
The judgment and order must be reversed and aneAV trial granted, with costs to the appellant to abide the event.
All concurred.
Judgment and order reversea and new trial granted, with costs to appellant to- abide event. ■ •