Jeslow v. Duncan

Holcomb, J. This action was brought by appellant against Melville W. Duncan and Richard Duncan. At the conclusion of appellant’s case, by agreement, Richard Duncan was dismissed from the case. "While appellant was upon the stand she testified to a conversation she claimed to have had on the road to the hospital, after the accident, with Richard Duncan, who, at the time she testified, was a defendant in the case, in which she claimed Richard Duncan made statements to the effect that his brother, Melville W. Duncan, was a very reckless driver. The testimony in the case undisputedly shows that Richard Duncan had nothing to do with the car. It was owned and being driven by Melville W. Duncan. The testimony as to the conversation between appellant and Richard Duncan was admitted by the trial court solely upon the ground that it would bind Rich [493] ard Duncan only. When the court came to instruct the jury, the jury were told to entirely disregard the conversation had with Eichard Duncan, if they should find that it had in fact occurred. Appellant admits that the case was one of fact for the jury, and the only error claimed is in the instruction of the court to disregard the conversation had by appellant with Eichard Duncan. It is claimed that that testimony was never stricken and should have been considered by the jury. The court’s instruction was that a conversation between appellant and Eichard Duncan on the way from the place of the accident, given in testimony by appellant, while Eichard Duncan was still a party to the case, would be competent testimony against Eichard Duncan if he were still a party; but that defendant Melville W. Duncan was not responsible for any conversation had between Eichard Duncan and appellant after the accident had happened and the party had moved away from the scene of the accident, unless made in his presence. The testimony was certainly incompetent as to respondents. It was admitted only as against Eichard Duncan, and it went out of the case with him. “In an action against two defendants, evidence may be admitted notwithstanding it is competent as against only one of them, but the court must admonish the jury against whom the evidence may not be considered.” 10 R. C. L., 929. “The entry of a discontinuance as to a particular party renders his admissions incompetent.” “Where the interest or liability of coparties is several, the admissions of one are not competent against the other.” 22 C. J., 349. [494] See, also, Singer v. Metz Co., 101 Wash. 67, 171 Pac. 1032; Harry v. Northern Pac. R. Co., 105 Wash. 469, 178 Pac. 465. There was no error in the instruction complained of. The judgment is affirmed. Main, O. J., Bridges, Mackintosh, and Mitchell, JJ., concur.