Stuckslager v. McKee

Cole, J. This proceeding is under Code, Secs. 3154 and 3155, to obtain a new trial because of newly discovered evidence after the trial, which could not with reasonable diligence have been discovered before. The abstract shows that “ all the evidence given on the trial ” is before us. A careful examination of the evidence fails to discover a single word of testimony showing any diligence whatever. The newly discovered witness, J. J. Huber, testifies: “The reason why I kept quiet was because I do not want anything to do with [213] law; I didn’t want to be a witness in the case, * '*• * . I don’t know but I mav have had some conversation with Watson Huber and the other man about McKee’s talk with me, but I did not disclose anything that would be brought into court about the matter. McKee frequently came to my store ' and bought goods of me, and talked about the liquor question, the law and local affairs.” This is relied upon, in argument by appellee’s counsel, for the purpose of showing that diligence would have been unavailing. But this it will not do.. Eor aught that appears in this case, the plaintiff may have known of this evidence before the trial. He does not show that he did not; nor does he show that he made any effort whatever to discover it. The petition, it is true, alleges both want of knowlege and diligence; but the statute says, “ the petition shall be considered as denied without answer.” Both the statute and the rule of the common law require proof of diligence to discover the evidence before the trial, and in the absence of it, a new trial for that cause must be denied. Code, Sec. 3155; Lisher v. Pratt, 9 Iowa, 59; Richards v. Nuckolls, 19 Iowa, 555; Alger v. Merritt, 16 Iowa, 121, and many other cases. Keveesed. Milleb, Oh. J., took no part in the decision of this case.