Dralle v. Town of Reedsburg, 135 Wis. 293

Dralle v. Town of Reedsburg

135 Wis. 293 | Wis. | 1908

KeRwin, J.

On the motion for a new trial it appeared from the affidavits of the jurors that on the morning of April 25, 1901, at about 8 :30 a. m. and before court convened, the foreman called some of the jurors into the committee room in the courthouse and informed them that he had seen and consulted with the trial judge on that morning and that the judge told him to inform the other members of the jury that they must change the answer to the third question in the special verdict from “no” to “yes,” for the reason that the verdict as originally rendered could not stand, because if plaintiff was not guilty of want of ordinary care the judgment was too small and must be set aside, and that if they ■complied with this direction the verdict would stand, if not it would be set aside. The affidavits further show that the jurors believed such statements made by the foreman, and, relying upon them, consented to change the answer to the third question so as to find the plaintiff guilty of want of ordinary care. It also appears from the affidavit of one Schleden that one of the jurors told him on the morning of April 25, 1901, at about 8 o’clock, how they had answered the questions in the special verdict, and freely informed him of the transactions in the jury room while they were deliberating upon their verdict. At the request of the court the foreman of the jury was sworn and testified, among other things, to the effect that the verdict was signed and sealed at about 3 a. m., after which the jury separated; that in the morning he and some of the jurors went into1 the committee room and the jurors asked him to go and see the judge before court opened respecting the case, and he went accordingly, and, returning to the committee room, found all the other jurors there; and that he stated to them what he claimed *297the judge had said respecting instructions to- them. There is a conflict in the proof as to what message the foreman did convey to the jurors in the committee room, the foreman not agreeing with other jurors upon this point. The fact that he did communicate with the trial judge respecting the case on the morning the verdict was signed and sealed and before the co-urt opened is established by the record. He testified that he asked the trial judge if he could talk with him in regard to the case and the judge said he could; that he then asked him if he instructed that the jury could vote only one particular way on the.third question, and the judge said he did not, but that they could answer it either “yes” or “no.” There are other affidavits of the jurors regarding what took place in the jury room after they had been sent back for further deliberation, and also testimony of the foreman on that point, but we do not deem it necessary to consider this testimony or pass upon its competency.

It further appears by the affidavit of counsel for defendant that he and attorneys for plaintiff had been informed by the trial judge on the morning the verdict was rendered that the foreman of the jury had communicated with him and stated that the verdict had been signed and question No. 3 answered “No” conditionally, and with knowledge of this fact the attorneys for plaintiff consented that the jury retire for further deliberation. There are other affidavits tending to prove that the foreman', after the verdict had been signed and sealed, was solicitous respecting whether or not it should stand as signed.

In rendering his decision upon the motion for new trial the learned trial judge stated in effect that the affidavits of the jurors as to what occurred in the committee room after the verdict had been signed and sealed might be considered on the motion, and that it appeared clearly from such affidavits that the foreman gave the.jurors to understand that he bore some message in the nature of an additional instruction *298from the presiding judge; that when the foreman came in with the information that the verdict had been signed and sealed the judge was of opinion that it m,ust stand as sealed and that no further deliberation by the jury could be had, otherwise there would have been no communication with the jury except in open court in presence of the parties; that after the court met the situation had changed by request of parties that the jury be allowed to retire and again deliberate upon their verdict; and that the jurors’ affidavits showing communications or establishing the nature of such communications before the court met might be considered. The judge further stated that it appeared affirmatively that counsel for plaintiff had no knowledge of the nature of the communications which the foreman of the jury had in fact reported to his fellow jurors as coming from the presiding judge, and therefore plaintiff had not waived her right to. ask a new trial for the misconduct, of the jurors; that if the case had not been resubmitted to tire jury the verdict would not be disturbed, but, in view of the fact that after communication was had the jury were permitted to deliberate further upon their verdict, a new trial must be granted.

The affidavits of the jurors respecting the communications in the committee room after they had signed and sealed their verdict were competent to show they were informed of the foreman’s communication with the judge. Hempton v. State, 111 Wis. 127, 145, 86 N. W. 596; McBean v. State, 83 Wis. 206, 53 N. W. 497; Peppercorn v. Blade River Falls, 89 Wis. 38, 61 N. W. 19; Manix v. Malony, 7 Iowa, 81; Hefferon v. Gallupe, 55 Me. 563; Harris v. State, 24 Neb. 803, 40 N. W. 311; Rush v. St. Paul C. R. Co. 70; Minn. 5, 12 N. W. 733; Mattox v. U. S. 146 U. S. 140, 13 Sup. Ct. 50; 2 Thomp. Trials, § 2619. The misconduct which occurred in the committee room was not known to plaintiff’s attorneys when they consented to have the case resubmitted to the jury, and as held by the trial judge, there*299fore, tbe resubmission should not prejudice plaintiffs right to a new trial. The foreman left the committee room with the understanding that he was to consult with the trial judge respecting further instructions in the case, and returned bearing to them an alleged communication as coming from the trial judge which was prejudicial to plaintiff. McBean v. State, 83 Wis. 206, 53 N. W. 497; Havenor v. State, 125 Wis. 444, 104 N. W. 116. The result of this trial emphasizes the importance of a strict adherence to the rules laid down by this court respecting communications between the trial judge and jury. Havenor v. State, 125 Wis. 444, 104 N. W. 116; Hurst v. Webster Mfg. Co. 128 Wis. 342, 107 N. W. 666; Du Cate v. Brighton, 133 Wis. 628, 114 N. W. 103.

'It is further contended by counsel for appellant that the. court should have imposed costs as condition of a new trial. It does not appear from the order upon what grounds costs were ordered to abide the event of the action. But it is quite obvious that the court so ordered because of error committed by the court in communicating with the jury under the circumstances disclosed by the record. We are of opinion that the order granting a new trial should not be disturbed.

By the Court. — The order appealed from is affirmed.