Tenney v. Evans

13 N.H. 462 | Superior Court of New Hampshire | 1843

Gilchrist, J.

The affidavits of the foreman, and of one of the jurors, have been laid before us for the purpose of removing any impression unfavorable to the verdict caused by the evidence offered to impeach it. The decisions on the admissibility of the evidence of jurors, in relation to their verdict, are contradictory. In the case of Saville vs. Lord Farnham, 2 Man. & Ry. 216, Lord Tenterden asked Brougham, in a manner that implied a doubt, whether he could read the affidavit of a juryman ? The learned counsel replied that “ he could not, as to the conduct of the jury.” He was then endeavoring to show that the jury did not concur in a verdict which had been entered for the defendant. In the case of Rex vs. Wooller, 2 Stark. Rep. 111, Lord Ellenborough said that the affidavit of a juror could not be received in any case. And it has been held that their affidavits could not be received to show that they misapprehended the instructions of the court, nor, where there is evidence of improper conduct by the jury or the prosecutor relating to the trial, to prove in general terms that their verdict was founded upon nothing but the law and the evidence. Tyler vs. Stevens, 4 N. H. Rep. 116; State vs. Hascall, 6 N. H. Rep. 352; nor to impeach the verdict, or prove a mistake, or any improper conduct by themselves. Owen vs. Warburton, 1 Bos. & P. N. R. 326; Vaise vs. Delaval, 1 T. R. 11: Jackson vs. Williamson, 2 T. R. 281; Dana vs. Tucker, 4 Johns. 487; Jackson vs. Dickinson, 15 Johnson 217; Ex parte Caykendoll, 6 Cowen 53; Sargent vs. -, 5 Cowen 106; People vs. Columbia C. P., 1 Wend. 297; Bridges vs. Eggleston, 14 Mass. 245; Hannum vs. Belchertown, 19 Pick. 311; Murdock vs. Sumner, 22 Pick. 156; Bishop vs. Williamson, 8 Greenl. 162. And there are many other decisions to the same effect.

But where evidence has been introduced aliunde to impeach the verdict, by showing improper conduct of the jury, or attempts upon them by a party, the affidavits of jurors have been received in exculpation of themselves, and in support of the verdict. And for this there are substantial reasons. The tíiotives and characters of jurors, who are bound by their oaths and consciences to a strict impartiality, and who perform so important a part in our jurisprudence, should not be assailed without giving them an opportunity for defence. “ To exclude the testimony of jurors,” as,was said by Parker, C. J. in the State vs. Hascall, 6 N. H. Rep. 361, “ in all questions affecting their verdict, would neither be just to the parties nor to the jury.” Moreover, the trial by jury would soon fall into disrepute, if a verdict could be set aside upon evidence furnished solely by an unsuccessful party, who, if not corrupt and forsworn himself, has at least a strong interest to procure testimony unfavorable to the verdict, and whose friends and agents, of whom there is usually no lack, and from among whom his witnesses are usually drawn, may be presumed to share his feelings. And it has been held by this court that the affidavits of jurors were admissible to prove that papers calculated to have an influence upon the case, and which, it was alleged, were shown them, were not in fact shown them. Stale vs. Hascall, 6 N. H. Rep. 352. On a petition for a new trial, where it was averred that a juror was hostile to the petitioner, his affidavit was admitted to explain his feelings towards the petitioner. Haskell vs. Becket, 3 Greenl. 93. On a motion for a new trial, upon the ground that one of the jurors had prejudged the case, he may be heard to explain the language and conduct imputed to him. Taylor vs. Greeley, 3 Greenl. 204. Such evidence is admissible in exculpation of the jurors, and to support the verdict. Dana vs. Tucker, 4 Johns. 487. We have, therefore, read and considered the affidavit of the foreman, in connection with the other evidence; and also the affidavit of one of the jurors, in relation to the foreman’s conduct in the jury-room, as it corroborates the statement of the foreman, is in exculpation of him, and tends to support the verdict. There seems to be no reason why he should not be permitted to rebut the charge of partiality by his own evidence, tending to show that his acts were inconsistent with the existence of such a feeling; and if he may do this, he may surely offer evidence in corroboration of his statements, from one who knows whether those statements are true.

But after giving its due weight to all the evidence, we are of opinion that the verdict should be set aside. The assertion of the foreman, repeatedly and positively made before the trial, that the plaintiff would succeed, connected with the plaintiff’s expressed intention “to stay and see some of the jurors,” indicate that these two persons had stronger sympathies on the subject of the trial, than should have existed. The evidence, notwithstanding the explanation given of it, shows a stronger feeling for the plaintiff than is consistent with the idea that all these declarations were merely in jest. And, after making all proper deductions from the evidence, and looking as leniently as possible upon the motives of the foreman, enough remains to render it doubtful whether he were a perfectly impartial juror, — a point upon which no doubt should ever exist. No one would willingly trust his life, or even his property, to a jury composed of twelve persons, each of whom had made similar declarations to those proved in this case. The foreman knew that he had said all these things; and it- is somewhat suspicious that he did not ask to be excused from trying the case. The tendency of ignorant or unprincipled parties, “ to see some of the jurors,” as in this case ; to tamper with them; to insinuate their own views of their controversies into the minds of weak or unsuspicious jurors, in the form of supposed cases; and the innumerable arts of which low cunning will avail itself to accomplish its dishonorable purposes, although it may thereby destroy all confidence in the administration of justice, cannot be too severely reprobated. The law anxiously strives to secure impartial jurors, by causing them to be selected by lot, and this renders all previous corruption nearly impossible. But it is a part of the price we pay for this benefit, that weak-minded and incompetent men will sometimes be selected; and no one can calculate in how short a time a weak man, or one careless of his grave duties, may be prejudiced or seduced into a wrong course. A greater evil could hardly befal society, than, with institutions like our own, the loss of the public confidence in tbe entire impartiality of juries ; and the fearful consequences of such a result must ever be present to the minds of all who are called upon to determine questions like the present.

Verdict set aside.