Clarke v. Pierce

82 Miss. 462 | Miss. | 1903

Whitfield, C. J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

In respect to the right and duty of the court to give further instructions to the jury after they have retired, the principle is stated to be this in 2 Enc. PI. & Prac., 283-285, inclusive: That the court may give the jury any instruction necessary to the accomplishment of justice in the case, at any time before the-verdict is received, of its own motion; and,, secondly, upon request of the jury; and, thirdly, that where the jury requests further instructions it is “not only the right, but the duty, of the court to reinstruct upon any question of law, arising from the facts proven, on which they say they are in doubt”; and, further, “that this practice is to be commended, since its results tend to a correct and rapid administration of justice”; and, lastly, it is there stated that by the weight of authority it is held that, although the court may have given further instructions at the request of the jury, it should also give additional instructions, by way of éxplanation or modification, if requested by one of the parties. In note 1 on page 283 of said volume the rule in Mississippi is set out. The cases of Duncan v. State, 49 Miss., 331; Taylor v. Manley, 6 Smed. & M., 305, and Randolph v. Govan, 14 Smed. & M., 9, are referred to. In Duncan’s Case no request for instructions was made by either party, written or oral. In Taylor v. Manley, the court had adjourned for the day, and the judge, in the absence of both parties, and without their consent, at the request of the jury, gave them a charge. Under our practice, this was error, of course. In the case of Randolph v. Govan, there was no request by either party, but a request again by the jury. In our state, under Code 1892, section 132, the judge can only instruct the jury upon the principles of law applicable to the case at the request, in writing, of either party. Applying the principles which we have cited from the Encyclopaedia of Pleading & Practice, the law in this state, under our practice, is that it is not only the right, but the duty, of the court, where the ends of justice so require, to give the jury, at any time before the verdict is received, any further instructions, which correctly state the law, that may be requested by either party in writing. The principles which we -have quoted apply fully in this state, provided only the condition prescribed by our 'statute be complied with; that is to say, provided the instructions be requested by either of the parties in writing. If so requested in writing by either party, and if the instructions be correct, the objection of the other party is immaterial. The court sits to give the jury the law as it really is, as applied to the facts of the case, and it is not within the power of either party, by objecting, to prevent the court from giving such further charges, if they be correct, and if they be requested in writing by the other side. The additional charge asked in this case, in writing, by the plaintiff, was correct, on the facts of the case, and the court erred in not granting it.

Reversed cmd remanded.