Court Opinion

ID: 9830615
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 20:19:50.372276+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:43:24.831342
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing.
Originally we hesitated in affirming tbe judgment in tbis case, because tbe trial court instructed a verdict which is fundamental error, requiring a review of tbe entire evidence and record, and, while examining tbis record and the lengthy briefs of both parties, we reached tbe conclusion there was no error shown, and followed largely the contention of appellees, which was verified by our examination, at which appellee complains, and which statement of tbe evidence is attempted to be sustained by tbe answers of appellees to appellant’s motion for rehearing.
In carefully reviewing tbis record, we think we were in error in bolding there was no issue of fraud presented at all, or that there was no issue raised by tbe pleading or evidence that presented a jury question. In that we think now we were in error. It is sometimes very hard in a case like tbis, presenting such a voluminous record, to say there was no question of fact for tbe jury to pass upon and thus deprive a litigant of tbe benefit of a trial by a jury. The appellant has very well said:
“This case was tried to a jury, and the trial court instructed a verdict. Therefore, if there were any competent evidence to support the claims of the appellant, the trial court erred in instructing the verdict, .for it is held by the authorities that a motion for an instructed verdict; for this purpose, admits as true the evidence supporting the claim of the person against whom the motion is made, and only the evidence supporting such person’s claim should be considered; if there is none, then the verdict may be instructed. If there is evidence sup*624porting the claim, a verdict cannot be instructed.”
The trial court should have granted appellant a new trial. It was error not to have done so, and the court erred in instructing the verdict.
Our former opinion and judgment is set aside, the motion-for a rehearing is granted, and the judgment of the trial court is reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial.
Reversed and remanded.