Barbour v. Hall

Per Curiam. The parties entered into a written contract wherein the plaintiff agreed to build a house for the defendant. The plaintiff asserts and the defendant denies that the original contract was abandoned and a new contract entered into by the parties whereunder the house was completed. The plaintiff claimed that a balance of over twelve hundred dollars with interest was due him under the new contract. The defendant admitted that • he owed the plaintiff about one hundred and sixty dollars. The jury found for the plaintiff and assessed his damages at $1,306.13. The defendant filed his motion for a new trial upon the ground that the damages awarded were excessive. The justice of the superior court who presided at the trial was of the opinion “that the evidence clearly does not preponderate in favor of the plaintiff’s claim that the original contract was abandoned and the new one entered into,” and concerning the damages, he used the following language: “I have reached the conclusion that the verdict should not stand for a larger amount than $465. Unless, therefore, the plaintiff shall within ten days after the filing hereof, in writing, remit all of the verdict in excess of $465, the defendant’s motion for a new trial will be granted.” The plaintiff did not embrace the opportunity thus afforded *246 him, but took an exception to the said ruling of the superior court, and the case is before this court upon the plaintiff’s bill of exceptions. Charles H. McKenna, for plaintiff. Seeber Edwards, Edwards & Angelí, for defendant. We have had occasion to refer to the rules that govern the nisi prius courts in the consideration of a motion for a new trial, — See Wilcox v. R. I. Co., 29 R. I. 292; Noland v. R. I. Co., 30 R. I. 246, and McMahon v. R. I. Co., 32 R. I. 237. For the attainment of the highest degree of efficiency in the administration of justice it is absolutely necessary for the justices who preside over jury trials to freely and independently exercise their power to grant new trials “whenever their superior and more comprehensive judgment teaches them that the verdict of the jury fails to administer substantial justice in the case.” And whenever the verdict of a jury has been so disapproved by the judge, such exercise of his power will be maintained by this comit unless it clearly appears that his conclusion is erroneous. No such error is apparent in this case. The plaintiff’s exception is therefore overruled and the case is remitted to the Superior Court for a new trial.