173 Wis. 380 | Wis. | 1921
The principal questions raised by the appeal herein are also raised in the case of the husband against the same defendants {ante, p. 371, 181 N. W. 227), and their treatment in that case by the Chief Justice will be considered applicable to this case.
Since the jury in this case found punitory damages it will become necessary to consider defendants’ claim that it was error to receive testimony as to their wealth. We have recently had occasion to hold that in the case of two or more defendants the reception of such testimony is error on the ground that evidence as to the financial ability of one affects the amount of punitory damages assessed against all, and hence, since each one is liable for the whole judgment, he may be unjustly mulcted in damages because of the-wealth of a codefendant, though he himself may be a poor man. See McAllister v. Kimberly-Clark Co. 169 Wis. 473, 476, 173 N. W. 216, and cases cited. We see no reason to change the rule there adopted. The reception of such testimony was prejudicial error.
Since there must be a new trial in this case also for reasons
By the Court. — Judgment reversed, and cause remanded for a new trial.