Church v. Leavenworth

| Conn. | Jun 15, 1810

Swift, 3.

This is a motion for a new trial on the ground that the court admitted in evidence a verdict be-twéen the same parties in a prior case, and charged the jury that by law it was conclusive.

To make a verdict evidence, it must appear from the record, that the same point was directly in issue between the parties in the former case, and was found by the jury. But in this case, it was not necessary for the defendant in the former action against the present plaintiff to have proved all the facts put in issue in this action'$ form that action, the then plaintiff might have recovered wages, for one, two, or three months’ service, though he had n.ot performed the stipulated service for six months; for he was entitled to wages 'monthly by the contract. Of course, it does not necessarily appear, that the jury found a performance of the contract for the whole period stipulated; and their verdict does not negate the possibility of a non-performance, for which this action may be maintained. But admitting the verdict to have been admissible evidence, I am of opinion it was not conclusive.

A verdict, when offered in evidence on an isstie in fact, ⅛ never conclusive. A verdict is never a conclusive bar, unless in the former action issue was joined on a precise point, and the verdict is specially pleaded by way of es-toppcl. This is explicitly laid down by Lord Elté⅛1⅝⅛!' r°ugh ¡n the case of Outram v. Morewood, 3 East, 346 That was an'action of trespass against the defendant Slid* his wife for entering a certain coal mine. 'The defendant pleaded title; and thé plaintiff replied, that they oughC not to be admitted to plead suph title, because, in a previous action brought by the plaintiff against the wifq, pleaded the same title, which the jury had found against her. On demurrer, the replication was adjudged to be good. It is manifest, that the pleading specially the ver* diet in the former action by way of estoppel, was considered as essential to the validity of the replication. But the principle is more explicitly settled in a case mentioned by Lord Ellenborough, in giving his opinion in the - case before mentioned. In a second action for obstructing a watercourse, on the plea of not guilty, a verdict in a previous action for an obstruction to the same watercourse was given in evidence by the plaintiff: Lord Mansfield held, that the verdict could only be conclusive upon the right, if it could have been used, and actually were used, in pleading by way of estoppel.

This authority establishes the doctrine, that verditts are never conclusive, unless they are pleaded specially byway of estoppel. That they are never conclusive when offered in evidence on an issue in fact, is proved by all the cases which have been decided on this subject :: and, I apprehend, not a single case in the English authorities can be found to the contrary. In the case last mentioned, the verdict appears to have been admitted in evidence on the general issue, but was held ; not to be . conclusive. In the case of Kinnersley v. Orpe, Doug. 517. it appears that at nisi firius a verdict in a former case was admitted in evidence, and held to be conclusive ; ‘ but a new trial was granted, and the court said that the record in the former cause, though admissible evidence, was not conclusive. So in all questions of public or common rights, verdicts may be given in evidence against all persons standing in the same situation as the parties in the previous actions; but they are never deemed conclusive.

. Again, it ⅛ said, if a verdict be had on the same point, ¿and between the same parties, it maybe given in evi* deuce, though the trial were not for the same lands; for the verdict in such case is very persuading evidence, because what twelve men have already thought of the fact may be supposed fit to direct the determination of the present jury. Bull. N. P. 232.

. If there be a trial of a title between A., lessee of B. and and afterwards there be a trial between C., lessee of E. and B , C. may give in evidence the verdict found against B., for this was the sense of a former jury on the fact. 16.

These authorities show that there are cases when verdicts admitted in evidence are not conclusive. As no cases can be found to show that they are ever conclusive when offered in evidence, it may be deemed a fair conclusion that a verdict, when given in evidence on an issue in fact, is never conclusive.

If a verdict be not conclusive, then it can be only the opinion of a former jury on the same point, and is called persuasive evidence. Some have considered the idea of persuasive evidence as an absurdity, and thence have inferred that when a verdict is admissible evidence, it ought to be held conclusive ; but if it be absurd that a verdict should be called persuasive evidence, then the fair consequence is, that it ought to be wholly rejected; for there are many instances where verdicts are now admitted as being the opinion of a jury on the same point, in which it would be extremely unjust that they should be conclusive ; as in the case of public rights, where verdicts are admitted as evidence against persons not parties to the former suit.

Others, again, have inclined to the opinion, that the verdict, instead of being admitted as persuasive evidence, ought to be rejected: but a question arises how far court, are now at liberty to reject this species of testimony”,, which is unquestionably a part of the law of evidence. The common law is a system of first principles, connected together, and dependent on each other. When we once break in upon the integrity of the system, it is difficult to foresee the confusion and derangement that will follow. The rule that verdicts are admissible as evidence, is connected with another rule, that a man cannot be a witness in a case where the verdict can be given in evidence for or against him in another case in which he may be a party.

If, then, we say, that verdicts are not to be admitted in evidence at all, we strike away the foundation of another important rule of evidence, and we shall then be obliged to supply its place by the introduction of a new rule.

But we may as well question every other principle of the common law as this. If the ground is to be taken, that because we doubt of the reason or propriety of an established rule, we are at liberty to reject it, and substitute another for it, then all principles are again thrown afloat on the ocean of uncertainty, without any compass but the discretion of the judge.

The foundation of the law is not laid on such a fluctuating basis. It has been pronounced by the greatest jurists, to be the perfection of reason — not of every man’s natural reason, but an artificial perfection of reason, gotten by long study, observation, and experience. Co. Litt. 97. b.

If these considerations are not sufficient to restrain the rude hand of the innovator from despoiling the fair fabric of the common law, let him remember, and revere the sage and venerable maxim of jurisprudence, neminem efiortet esse safdentiorem legibus.

I am therefore of opinion that a new trial ought to he granted.

2 St. Tr. 26;, s-wiffs ¿v. l0. In this opinion Mitchell, Ch. J, Reeve, Edmond, N* Smith, Brainerd, and J. C. Smith, Js. concurred. Trumbull, J.

This suit is on the contract; and the point in question was decided by the former record. No second suit on the contract can be maintained. But this record could not be pleaded in bar. It was proper evidence to the jury; and it ought to have been left to them. The verdict shows that Leavenworth had faithfully served, and had not been paid during a part of the term; and this is enough to enable him to recover a verdict. So far, it is conclusive. If it appear from the sum given, that the verdict allows the two dollars per day during the whole time, this is conclusive evidence that the court decided he had faithfully performed during the whole time. But this evidence ought to have been left to the jury for their consideration; and for that reason I concur in advising a new trial.

Baldwin, J.

First, it is an established rule of law, that a fact once decided shall not be again disputed between the same parties. Therefore, a judgment directiy upon the point may, in some cases; be pleaded in bar; in others, given in evidence as conclusive; but,

Secondly, to make a record in a former suit conclusive evidence on any point, it should appear from the record that such point was in issue.

Thirdly, it is not necessary that the actions should be precisely the same; for, if the question between the parties be the right to personal property, a verdict and judgment in trover will bar either party from trying the title over again in assumfisit, or any other form of action, and will be conclusive in evidence.

If, then, it can be made to appear from the record offered in evidence in this case, that the same fact on which this action depends, has been once directly decided betweert the parties in this suit, I think it must follow, that the record is not only admissible, but conclusive. ,,,

To enable us to determine whether the fact in question was decided by the former trial, we must examine the cause of action in each. In the action now on trial,'-' the plaintiff, Church, in his declaration, states that Lea* venworth, the defendant, has failed to perform certain covenants on his part to be performed, and demands damages for this failure. As the pleadings are closed, the sole point in issue, and the only fact for trial presented by the case, is, whether Leavenworth has performed. This fact, Leavenworth claims, has been once directly ' decided between him and Church ; and offers the record ip question, in support of his claim. To make this conclusive, or even admissible evidence, it must appear from the record offered, that the fact now in issue was, by the former trial, directly decided.

The record offered appears to be the record of. a suit, in favour of Leavenworth, against Church, upon the very same contract, for non-performance of the contract on the part of Church ; averring a full performance on hie part, and demanding damages. The case, it appear?, was tried by the jury, on the general plea of non asswmfi. sit, and verdict and judgment were in favour of the plaintiff Leavenworth. It is now proper to inquire what was then in issue. Was it merely the non-performance on the part of Church, or was it also necessary, to entitle Leavenworth to a recovery, that he should prove the truth of his averment, that he had fully performed? If his performance was a material averment, and necessary to be proved, it was directly in issue, and has been decided. It then becomes important to attend to the materiality of that averment. This depends upon the nature and terms of the contract, which also appears spread upon the record. If the covenants are. independent, I ag>ee the averment is immaterial; if dependent, performance must not "only be averred, but directly proved. Now, from the nature as well as the terms of this contract, the service to be performed by Leavenworth is the consideration, whence the duty of Church to pay arises. His service is a condition prece- • dent. See Thorpe v. Thorpe, 1 Salk. 171. in point.

It will not, I presume, be pretended, that, if Leavenworth had never gone from homey or entered into the service of Church, he could have maintained an action against Church on this contract. He is to be paid at the rate of two dollars per day for his services; and though payment may, by the contract, be demanded monthly, yet the performance of the condition precedent to the time of the demand, would, even then, be a necessary averment. This is an executory contract, where one is todo service, and for the doing it the other is to pay. If I am correct in this principle, it will follow, that the fact of performance on the part of Leavenworth, was essential to his recovery in the former action; and I have reason to presume that such was the charge to the jury which tried it. If so, then the fact of his performance, which is now the only point in issue, Was directly in issue before, and has been once decided betwedh the same parties. The record offered, showing that, is, in my opinion, admissible and conclusive.

I cannot, therefore, advise a hew trial.

New trial to be granted.