Baldwin v. Biersdorfer

1 Wilson 1 | Indiana Superior Court | 1871

Rand, J.

This was a suit by John C. Baldwin against Charles Wridt and six others for an alleged assault and battery upon him.

The case was tried at Special Term, and there was a verdict and judgment over motion for new trial, against all the defendants (except Hugh, as to whom plaintiff dismissed) for $1,000, and the defendants Biersdorfer, Bruner and Koerner appeal to General Term, and seek a reversal of the judgment against them.

' The appellants urge two grounds for a reversal of the cause—

1. That the Court erred in its charge to the jury,

2. That the verdict is contrary to the evidence,

3. And Biersdorfer and Koerner further urge that a new trial should have been granted them on the grounds of newly discovered evidence.

The evidence is in the record, and proper exceptions were taken at the time.

First — Did the Court err in its charge to the jury?

The charge complained of is as follows:

1. If you find from the evidence that any one or more of the defendants assaulted the plaintiff, and by beating, striking or kicking him, inflicted any injury upon his person, the plaintiff will be entitled to recover j and if you find that the plaintiff was assaulted and injured by any one or more of the defendants, and others of the defendants were present, aiding or abetting in the commission of the assault, or its continuance after it had been commenced, the plaintiff will be entitled to recover against the person so engaged in the assault, as well as against those so aiding and abetting.

2. By the terms aiding and abetting is meant those who are present at the commission of the injury, and who, by words, signs or gestures encouraged the perpetration of the .wrongful act; or who assist and co-operate in the commission of the same; or being present or near at hand in pursuance of a previous agreement with the person or persons making the assault, ready to assist in the commission of the wrongful act, if the same should become necessary.

It is admitted in argument that the above charge is a correct exposition of the law in a proper case, but it is urged that, there was no proof of a conspiracy, and that hence the charge misled the jury.

We have carefully examined the evidence, and whilst we-find no positive evidence of a conspiracy, yet there were facts- and circumstances proven before the jury, from which they might properly infer such a conspiracy; and we conclude-there was no error in the charge. '

Second — Is the verdict of the jury contrary to the evidence t

There was evidence before the jury tending to show that each of the appellants participated in the assault upon plaintiff, and whilst we find evidence tending to the contrary,, there was no such want of evidence to sustain the verdict as to call upon us to reverse the case. The facts were properly submitted to the jury, and according to well established, principles we should not interfere with the verdict.

Third — Did the Court err in overruling the motion for a new trial, as to Biersdorfer, and Koerner, because of newly discovered evidence ?

■ It is a well settled principle of law, that a new trial should, not be granted because of newly discovered evidence, when, it is cumulative, or to impeach a witness, nor for newly discovered evidence, not cumulative, if such evidence luould not produce a different result on a new trial..

All the affidavits on the part of Kóerner, and all but three on the part of Biersdorfer are merely cumulative, and therefore no new trial should be granted on account of such newly discovered cumulative evidence. See Fox v. Reynolds, 24 Ind., 46, and Jackson v. Sharpe Adm'r, 29 Ind., 167.

Biersdorfer on the trial attempted to prove an alibi, and his newly discovered cumulative evidence is for the purpose of more clearly proving the alibi. The affidavit of one Myers is filed, who says that he was in the employ of Biersdorfer, in his saloon, on the 31st of January, 1871, and that Biersdorfer was with him from 5 o’clock p. m. until 11 o’clock p. m. of that day. If Biersdorfer in good faith relied upon an alibi, it seems to us that the very first thing he would have done on the trial would have been to have introduced the witness he knew was engaged with him in the saloon during the difficulty in which he was sought to be implicated, and who could have established his defence. He knew before the trial that they were employed together, and that Myers could prove his alibi, if such was the fact, and did not need to wait until Myers should communicate the information to him. It throws a suspicion over his defence. Such work of dilligenee should not be encouraged, and if Myers’ evidence was not ^cumulative, there is such a manifest lack of diligence that a new trial should not be granted for that reason.

It is urged for Biersdorfer, that the affidavits of Enos B. Chives, Thomas F. Brown and H. S. Stutnph are not entirely cumulative.

The portion of Chives’ affidavit relied upon as not cumulative, is . as follows : “ That plaintiff replied that the defendant, George Biersdorfer, was good — that he was worth about $3,000, and that he would have to be responsible for the balance, meaning the other defendants in said suit; that he, said plaintiff, had nothing against said defendant Biersdorfer.”

Brown swears, “ Said plaintiff further said that said Biersdorfer had about $3,000 in property, and he would hold him for that.” “ Stumph swears that plaintiff told him that he •■had nothing against said Biersdorfer.”

Now it seems from these affidavits that these statements were made after plaintiff had sued Biersdorfer as one of the parties who made the assault upon him. What did plaintiff mean when he .said he had nothing against Biersdorfer? Did he mean he had no cause of action against Biersdorfer ? Or did he mean he had no malice, or ill will against him ? If he meant the former, then we admit the evidence would be very important, but if the latter, it would hardly be worth consideration.

He had sued Biersdorfer, and said he was relying on his solvency to make any judgment he might recover against defendants, and it would be unreasonable to construe his language that he had no cause of action against Biersdorfer; and without that construction it is unimportant.

The further statement that Biersdorfer was worth $3,000, and he would have to be responsible for the other defendants, is not of such importance as to justify the Court in believing that it would give such preponderance in favor of Biersdorfer as that a new trial would result in his favor. He simply stated a correct proposition of law, if Biersdorfer was guilty, and his statement is not entitled to such legal consequences.

The judgment of the Special Term is affirmed.

Note. — If a conspiracy be proved, and a presence, in a situation to render aid, it is a legal presumption that such presence was with a view to render aid, and it lies on the party to rebut it by showing that he was there for a purpose unconnected with the conspiracy. 9 Pick., 496. See also 1 Cr. C. C., 164. .

The jury may consider from the evidence whether the defendant was engaged in the alleged- conspiracy, and had combined with others for the same illegal purpose. 10 Pick., 497, and see Roscoe Crim. Ev., 6th Am. Ed., Note 1, on page 88.

Contra in felony, where it is necessary, in order to make him an aider or abettor, that he should do, or say something showing his consent to the felonious purpose, or contributing to its execution. 9 North C., 440; Foster Cr. Law, 850; 1 Hale, 439, 615.

One who incites others to commit an assault and battery is guilty, and may be punished as a principal if the offense be actually committed, though he did not otherwise participate in it. 1 Brevard, 39.7. See also 1 Leading Crim. Cases, 149, Note.

Where several persons are in compan'y together, engaged in one common purpose, lawful or unlawful, and one of them, without the knowledge or consent of the others, commits an -offense, the others will not he involved in his guilt, unless the act done was in some manner in furtherance of the common intention — Roscoe Crim. Ev., 6th Am. Ed, 164, and authorities cited — hut if in pursuance of a common design, each takes the part assigned him, all are equally guilty. 1 Russ, on Cr., 8th Am. Ed., 27, and cases cited.

As to how far an aider and abettor must be present at the commission of the crime, see Russ., on Cr., %th Am. Ed., 508 et seq.

When several defendants are tried at the same time for a misdemeanor, and some are acquitted and others convicted, the Court may.grant a new trial as to those convicted, if they think the conviction improper. 6 T. R., 619; 5 E. C. L. R., —.

The party seeking a new trial on the ground of newly discovered evidence must show that the evidence is not merely cumulative: that it was discovered after the trial: that there was no want of diligence to procure the same. 10 Ind., 3.

When evidence is merely cumulative a new trial will not be granted. 5 Ind., 250; 6 Ind., 474.

Newly discovered evidence, to warrant a new trial, must be such as could not have been obtained on the trial had by reasonable diligence, and must not be merely cumulative. State exrel Drulinter v. Clark, 16 Ind., 97, 102.

A new trial is seldom, if ever, granted on account of newly discovered evidence, for the purpose of impeaching the character of a witness. 6 Blackf., 496; 2 Ind., 608; 4 Ind., 492; 22 Ind., 165; 29 Ind., 167.

A new trial will not be granted for newly discovered evidence, where, with due diligence, tho party might previously have had the benefit of tho evidence. 1 Blackf., 367; 6 Blackf., 496; 2 Ind., 117; 4 Ind., 540; 10 Ind., 451; 11 Ind., 238, 541; 13 Ind., 357 ; 23 Ind., 471.

See Hilliard on New Trials.