Linn v. Brecher

Mr. Presiding Justice Sears delivered the opinion of the court. The controlling question presented upon this appeal is as to the proper practice in a suit at common law upon contract when the cause has proceeded to verdict against a sole defendant, and is pending upon his motion for a new trial when his death occurs. Without going into any discussion of the common law rule as to the abatement of action by reason of death of a sole defendant, it is enough to say that it is the common law rule, irrespective of statutory regulation, that in a case such as here presented, the court should proceed to a disposition of the motion for a new trial. If it be granted, the question of the abatement of the suit under common law rule or statutory provision will arise. If the motion for a new trial be overruled, a judgment upon the verdict should follow nune pro Puno as of the time of the return of verdict, i. e., as of a time within the lifetime of the sole defendant. Danforth v. Danforth, 111 Ill. 236; 2 Tidd’s Pr. (3d Am. Ed.), Sec. 932; O’Sullivan v. People, 144 Ill. 604; Patterson v. Buckminster, 14 Mass. 144; Currier v. Town of Lowell, 16 Pick. 170; Den v. Tomlin, 18 N. J. Law (3 Harrison), 14; Ryghtmyer v. Durham, 12 Wend. 245; Spalding v. Congdon, 18 Wend. 543. In Den v. Tomlin, supra, it appeared that more than two terms of the court had elapsed after verdict a,nd death of defendant. The New Jersey court held that “it would be the duty of the court to order the judgment entered nune pro Pane, if judgment be ultimately rendered for the plaintiff,” saying further: “It is a rule of practice, as well as of'common justice, that the action of the court shall not be permitted to work an injury to a party. (2 Tidd’s Pr.; Perry v. Wilson,7 Mass. 393.) The case last cited was an action of trespass and verdict rendered for the plaintiff. The action was continued for advisement, and before it was disposed of the defendant died. The court say, when an action is delayed for its own convenience, they will take care that no party suffers by the delay, and judgment was thereupon ordered nunep>ro Pune.” In Ryghtmyer v. Durham, sufra, it appeared that the verdict was returned in the year 1831; the defendant .died in 1833; the motion for a new trial was overruled in 1834, and judgment entered upon the verdict nune piro tune as of the October term, 1831, the term of the return of the verdict. In Spalding v. Congdon, supra, the court said : “ The statute has nothing to do with the matter. Here the party has been tied up by the bill of exceptions and a motion for a new trial, and died while the matter was sub judice. * * * Without regard to the lapse of time, the court will, upon common law principles, allow the judgment to be entered up as of a term where the party was alive.” The Illinois statute as to survival of actions, modifying the common law rule as to abatement of suit against a sole defendant upon death of such defendant, has nothing to do with this question until and unless the motion for a new trial is granted. The court erred in ordering that the suit abate. The order is reversed and the cause is remanded with directions to the Superior Court to dispose of the motion for a new trial, and, if it be overruled; to enter a judgment upon the verdict nunc pro tuno as of the time of the return of the verdict.