Robinson v. Amann

Opinion by Judge Hines Appellant and his counsel, believing that the cause would not be [782] reached for trial, were both absent from the court when the answer was filed, and the case tried and verdict rendered for appellee. On the day following a motion for a new trial, upon the ground of surprise, was made and overruled. There appears to us to be two reasons why the judgment should not be disturbed. W. G. Bullitt, Henry Barnett, for appellant. J. W. Bloomfield, for appellee. First: The absence of appellant and his counsel does not appear to have been caused by any unavoidable casualty or misfortune; and, Second: There is nothing to indicate that the result would or should have been different if counsel or the client had been present. The affirmative matter in the answer, when uncontroverted by reply, entitled appellee to a verdict. Appellant tendered no reply on his motion for a new trial, nor is it in any way intimated that he could have truthfully controverted the matters set up in the answer. Landrum v. Farmer, 7 Bush 46; Yancey v. Downer, 5 Litt. 8; Embry v. Devinney, 8 Dana 202. Judgment affirmed.