Court Opinion

ID: 8264013
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-10-16 15:58:38.747097+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:43:16.795548
License: Public Domain

GOODE, J.
— A verdict was given for the plaintiff in this case, but the trial court set it aside on the ground that the evidence did not support it. An appeal was taken from the order setting aside the verdict and granting a new trial. In support of the appeal it is maintained that the ground on which the new trial was granted was, in effect, that there was no evidence to support the verdict. We do not so understand the court’s order. The language used was: “The testimony does not support the verdict.” It is possible to interpret that language to mean that there was no evidence to support the verdict; but in view of the fact that the record discloses ample evidence for a verdict in favor of either side, and evidence of a very conflicting- character, the proper construction is that the trial court thought the evidence preponderated against the verdict; not that there was no evidence in favor of it. The meaning of this ground for a new trial was considered and adjudicated in Hull v. Railroad, 60 Mo. App. 593. In “that case the language of the order for a new trial was: “The verdict is not supported by the evidence.” This was held to mean that, in the opinion of the trial judge, the weight of the evidence was opposed to the finding of the jury. In Van Liew v. Barrett, etc., Co., 144 Mo. 509, 46 S. W. 202, the ground assigned for vacating the verdict was that it was not sustained by the evidence, and was contrary to the instructions. The ruling of the lower court was sustained on the first ground; which was treated as equivalent to a statement that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence.
On the assumption that the lower court ruled there was no evidence to support the verdict, the argument *93urged in the present case is that the defendant lost his right to insist the evidence was insufficient to make a prima facie case, by failing to raise the point at the conclusion of either plaintiff’s evidence or of all the evidence. This proposition does not call for attention, inasmuch as the court set aside the verdict for the reason that it deemed it opposed to the weight of the evidence.
The action was one on an alleged verbal contract by which the defendant agreed to pay plaintiff whatever amount over and above one thousand dollars, plaintiff could obtain as the price of a leasehold on certain premises in the city of St. Louis. The leasehold was sold for two thousand dollars, plaintiff contends by him or through his efforts. Plaintiff testified positively to the contract and to procuring the purchaser. The defendant swore point-blank there was no such contract and that he sold the leasehold himself. Plainly this was a case in which the trial judge might exercise his discretion to grant a new trial because he thought the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence.
The order for a new trial is affirmed and the cause remanded.
All concur.