Stewart v. Ewbank

The appellee first maintains that the decision of the court below, sustaining a motion for a new trial, is not subject to revision in this court. Ordinarily, it is true, this court will hesitate in disturbing these decisions, where the question is one depending upon discretion. Even in such cases, however, this court has frequently entertained appeals, and affirmed or reversed, as that discretion was properly or improperly exercised. See Lloyd v. McClure, 2 G. Greene, 189 ; Millard v. Suiger, Ib. 144, where the de- • cisión of the court beíow refusing a new trial, was affirmed; also Jones v. Fennimore, 1 G. Greene, 134; Shaw v. Sweeney, 2 Ib. 587, where this court reversed the judgments below, because new trials had been refused. And further, Reeves v. Royal, 2 Ib. 451, where an order granting a new trial was affirmed; and Jordan v. Reed, 1 Iowa, 135, which was reversed, because a second new trial was not granted to the same party. Where the court below, in granting or refusing a new trial, mistakes a legal proposition, it is as much the subject of revision as any other decision. In such cases, it is not a question of discretion, but one strictly legal in its [193] character, and to be determined upon the law applicable to the case. Shaw v. Sweeney, 2 G. Greene, 587; Jones v. Cooprider, 1 Blackf. 47. In this case the new trial was granted, not because the verdict was against the evidence, or of misdirection as to the law, or on account of newly discovered evidence, but because, from the showing made as t'o one of the jurors, there had not been a fair and impartial trial; and the question for us to determine is, whether that showing is sufficient. And we have no hesitation in holding it insufficient, and remanding the case, with directions to enter judgment on the second verdict. Two verdicts have been rendered in this case in favor of plaintiff, and in both instances they have been sustained, as in accordance with the law and testimony. We say they have been sustained, so far as these grounds are concerned, for in both motions these objections were distinctly overruled. A new trial was first granted on account of newly discovered evidence. A second trial was had, with the same result. Under such circumstances, it was but fair to conclude that the verdict was right, and improper conduct on the part of jurors should have been clearly shown, to justify a new trial. For this reason alone, the court below might reasonably have refused the motion. Having granted it, however, we should not on this ground alone, disturb such order. We refer to it, for the purpose of showing the probable correctness of the verdict, notwithstanding the prejudice of the juror named, though ever so strong. But independently of this, there was no cause for granting a 'third trial. There is nothing to show that this juror, or any of them, was examined, either under oath or otherwise, at the time of their being impanneled. For aught that appears, the prejudice of this juror was as well known to defendant, before as after he was sworn. The juror was competent, unless objection was made. The defendant might have Ais case tried by twelve of his most bitter enemies, and if he should do so, without objection, he could not claim a new trial, because jurors were prejudiced; and particularly so, unless lie negatives previous knowledge of such preju [194] dice'. If he would save the objection, he must examine the jurors touching their qualifications, before they are sworn, and some of the cases go so far as to require that he shall examine them under oath. On this subject, see Jeffries v. Randall, 14 Mass. 205; Poore v. Commonwealth, 2 Virg. Cas. 474; Brown v. Same, Ib. 516; Simpson v. Pitman, 13 Ohio, 365; Vennum v. Harwood, 1 Gilm. 659; Glover v. Woolsey, 9 Geo. 85; Lisle v. The State, 6 Miss. 426; Seal v. The State, 13 S. & M. 286; Childress v. Ford, 10 Ib. 25; Troxdate v. The State, 9 Humph. 411; Pelton v. Jones, Bacon & Co., Morris, 491; Sellers v. The People, 3 Scam. 412 ; 2 Wat. & Graham on New Trials, 474, and cases there cited. Judgment reversed.