Semones v. Johnson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

14 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 14 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““[I]n ruling on a motion to strike plaintiff’s evidence all inferences which may be fairly drawn from the evidence must be considered most favorably to the plaintiff, and where-there are several inferences which may be drawn, though they may differ in degree of probability, the court must adopt those most favorable to the party whose evidence it is sought to have struck out, unless the inferences be strained, forced or contrarv to reason. [Citations omitted].” Williams v. Chesapeake Bay Bridge, 208 Va. 714, 717 , 160 S.E.2d 573, 575-76 (1968); quoted with approval, Semones v. Johnson, 217 Va. 293, 295 , 227 S.E.2d 731, 733 (1976).”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad v. Sutton Co.

2. ““When the sufficiency of a plaintiff’s evidence is challenged by a motion to strike, the trial court should resolve any reasonable doubt as to the sufficiency of the evidence in plaintiff’s favor. . . . This is so because when a judgment based on a granted motion is reversed on appeal, a new trial must be conducted; when a plaintiff’s verdict follows a denied motion, whether the verdict is set aside or confirmed by judgment below, this court may enter final judgment thereby obviating the delay and expense of a new trial.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Trail v. White

3. “in the light most favorable to the plaintiff and resolve any reasonable doubt as to the sufficiency in his favor.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Blankenship v. Commercial Distributors, Inc.