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132 Mich. 364

Hyde v. Haak

Michigan Supreme Court

Decided March 5, 1903

Michigan Supreme Court · decided 1903-03-05

<p>New Trial — Weight of Evidence — Third Verdict.</p> <p>After two verdicts in favor of plaintiff liave been set aside as against tbb weight of the evidence, the court is justified in refusing to set aside the third verdict in his favor for the same reason, where there is substantial evidence to support it. Hooker, O. J., dissenting.</p>

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently June 1911

2 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

““There have been three trials before a jury, and each time a verdict has been rendered in favor of the plaintiffs. Twice the court below set the verdict aside, upon the motion of the defendants, on the ground that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence. After three verdicts, the court refused to grant a new trial. Defendants now ask that this action of the circuit court be reviewed. “ It is unnecessary to review the testimony. There was substantial evidence in behalf of the plaintiffs. Three juries have believed the witnesses on the part of the plaintiffs, rather than those in behalf of the defendants. It is not contended that there is not a conflict of evidence, so that the question is a proper one for the jury. After three juries have passed upon it, we think the court below was justified in refusing a fourth trial.””

quoted by 1 later decision, including Krouse v. Detroit United Railway

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Affirmed · Decided 1903-03-05

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Grant, J.

¶1This suit involves the value of 326 cedar railroad ties. Each party claims title. The title depends upon whether the ties' were cut from, and through a' trespass upon; the lands of the defendants, or upon other lands. If cut from the lands of the defendants, the title is in them. If cut from the other lands, the title is in the plaintiffs. There have been three trials before a jury, and each time a verdict has been rendered in favor of the plaintiffs. Twice the court below set the verdict aside, upon the motion of the defendants, on the ground that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence. After three verdicts, the court refused to grant a new trial. Defendants now ask that this action of the circuit court be reviewed.

¶2It is unnecessary to review the testimony. There was substantial evidence in behalf of the plaintiffs. Three *365juries have believed the witnesses on the part of the plaintiffs, rather than those in behalf of the defendants. It is not contended that there is not a conflict of evidence, so that the question is a proper one for the jury. After three juries have passed upon it, we think the court below was justified in refusing a fourth trial.

¶3Judgment affirmed.

Moore, Carpenter, and Montgomery, JJ., concurred with Grant, J.Hooker, C. J. I think that a new trial and change of venue should be granted.
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