Court Opinion

ID: 9793157
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:43:45.102197+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:43.655708
License: Public Domain

CROCKETT, Chief Justice
(dissenting):
The main opinion itself fairly, clearly and adequately sets forth both the facts and the applicable law to indicate these propositions: that the trial court correctly perceived the total situation to present a question upon which reasonable minds may differ and which therefore should be submitted for determination by the jury; that he fairly and properly instructed the jury as to the defendant’s duty to “exercise greater caution for the protection and safety” of the children than would be required for adults; that after hearing all of the evidence on both sides and due deliberation thereon, the jury found that the defendants were not negligent; that upon the same foundation, the trial court also further deliberated thereon and gave approval to that finding by refusing to grant the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or for a new trial.1
It is my judgment that there was no prejudicial error committed; and that by ruling to the contrary, this Court but intrudes into and usurps the prerogative of the jury to find the facts and deprives the defendants of the right of trial by jury which it is the duty of this Court to safe*467guard.2 I think the verdict and judgment should be sustained.

. That this adds solidarity to the verdict, see Prince v. Peterson, Utah, 538 P.2d 1325 (1975); and see also Hales v. Peterson, 11 Utah 2d 411, 360 P.2d 822 (1961).

. See Rivas v. Pacific Finance Co., 16 Utah 2d 183, 397 P.2d 990; and to avoid repetition herein, see dissent in DeMille v. Erickson, 23 Utah 2d 278, 462 P.2d 159 (1969), and authorities cited therein, including a good statement by Justice Murphy in Jacob v. City of New York, 315 U.S. 752, 62 S.Ct. 854, 86 L.Ed. 1166 (1942). In the DeMille case, it was the plaintiff (on behalf of two orphaned children) whom I thought was unjustly deprived of a jury verdict fairly arrived at. In this instance, it is the defendants who also have rights and should be fairly treated, that are unjustly dealt with.