McCammon v. Cunningham

Mitchell, J. The appellant instituted this proceeding-under section 2545, R. S. 1881, to the end that it might be adj udged that the appellee was a person- of unsound mind, and incapable of managing his own estate, and having íd view further the appointment of a guardian to take the custody of the appellee’s person, and. the management of his estate. Upon an issue made as the statute directs, a jury, after hearing the evidence and instructions of the court, returned as their verdict, “that the defendant, James Cunningham, is a person of sound mind and capable of managing his own estate.” It is now claimed that the verdict of the jury is contrary to the weight of the evidence, and that the conclusion reached resulted from the refusal of the court to instruct the jury properly as to the degree of mental unsoundness, which would have warranted a finding contrary to that returned. The appellant at- the proper time requested the court to instruct the jury, in substance, that the phrase “ of unsound mind” as used in the statute did not necessarily imply insanity; that insanity is a stronger term and implies a greater degree of mental infirmity than is implied in the phrase “ of unsound mind; ” that the mental condition implied by the latter phrase meant - any unsound state of mind, whether arising from sickness, disease, the infirmity of age or other like causes, which incapacitates a person from transacting his own business. This instruction was refused. As pertinent to the same subject, the court, upon its own motion, gave to the jury the statutory definition of the words “person of unsound mind.” Section 2544, R. S. 1881. In the same connection the jury were further told, in substance, that one might be in a condition of mental weakness or feebleness, resulting from disease or old age, and yet not be a person of unsound mind. The jury were further instructed, substantially, that the mental unsouudness which would justify them [547] in finding against the defendant, must be of such a character as to render him incapable of managing his own estate, and that if upon all the evidence in the ease, they should find that the defendant was mentally unsound to such a degree as to be incapacitated to manage his own affairs, they should so return the facts to the court. Precisely what was meant by the request to instruct the jury that insanity is a “stronger term” and implies a greater degree of mental infirmity than is implied in the phrase “ of unsound mind,” we are not advised. It may be that it was intended to convey the idea that insanity was a more vehement, vituperative or harsh expression, but it could hardly have been intended that it was more comprehensive, or that it embraced a degree of mental infirmity which Was not included in the statutory definition of the words “of unsound mind.” These words necessarily include every species of insanity or mental unsoundness, and it is not, therefore, in a legal sense, correct to say that insanity is the “ stronger term.” Willett v. Porter, 42 Ind. 250; Eggers v. Eggers, 57 Ind. 461. Since that part of the instruction above referred to was not a correct statement of the law, the whole was properly refused, notwithstanding the latter part, if it had been tendered alone, might with propriety have been given. It may be proper to add that the jurisdiction of the court to appoint a guardian is not confined to cases of insanity, idiocy or lunacy, strictly so called, but extends to every case' of mental unsoundness or imbecility, which has reached such a degree, from whatever cause, as renders its subj ect incapable of conducting the ordinary affairs of life, and leaves him in a condition to become the victim of his own folly, or the fraud of others. But in no ease should the benevolent purpose of the statute be abused, by the assumption of jurisdiction over the person or property of another, until such a degree of mental unsoundness is clearly made to appear. Lackey v. Lackey, 8 B. Mon. 107; Buswell Insanity, 4. [548] Filed Dec. 17, 1886. An examination of the evidence discloses that the verdict of the jury was amply sustained. There was no error. The judgment is affirmed, with costs.