Cook v. Walters

Wright, 0. J.

Various errors are assigned in this case, but they may be appropriately, considered under two heads:

'First. Did the court err in rejecting defendant’s evidence, in refusing to permit his counsel to address the jury, and in refusing the instructions asked by him ?

Second. Was there error in receiving the verdict of the jury, under the circumstances disclosed in the record ?

These questions we shall proceed to dispose of as briefly as possible, in the order presented. The defendant failed to answer the plaintiff’s petition, and when the cause went to the jury, was in default. He says, however, that no judgment by default was entered against him, as contemplated by section 1824 of the Code. But the record shows, “ that defendant filed an affidavit and motion to set aside the default heretofore granted, which said motion coming on to be heard, the court overruled the same, and refused to set aside said default, and permit said defendant to answer, to which ruling the defendant at the time excepted.” We think this is sufficient to show, with reasonable certainty, that defendant was in default, as much so as if the record had said, in so many words, that judgment by default was entered against him. It does not stand upon his mere failure to answer, without any step taken as a consequence thereof by plaintiff, but it appears affirmatively, that he moved to set aside the default heretofore granted ; that this motion was overruled ; and that the court refused to set aside said default. A default had, therefore, been granted, and of course, by the order and di *74 rection of tbe court, on tbe plaintiff’s motion. Being thus in default, wbat were his rights under tbe law ?

By tbe Code, (§ 1881,) it is provided that, in cases of default, where the damages are assessed either by the court or jury, tbe defendant may appear at the time of the assessment) and cross-examine the plaintiff’s witnesses, but for no other purpose. This language is clear, and we think can-admit of but one construction. In this case, the defendant asked leave to introduce evidence, for the purpose of reducing the amount of damages proven by-plaintiff; claimed the privilege 'of addressing-the jury, and commenting on the evidence; and finally asked certain instructions, all of which being objected to by plaintiffs, were refused by the court, upon the ground that defendant was in default, and had no right, to do more than cross-examine the plaintiffs’ witnesses. Now, wre think it has been well said in argument, that if,'under this statute, a defendant, when in default, may introduce evidence, address the jury, and ask instruction, then he loses comparatively nothing by his laches, and the words of tbe law would be meaningless. If, when the Code says, that be may appear for a certain ¡aúrpose, and for none other, be may be allowed all tbe privileges here claimed, then why not introduce evidence to sustain a distinctive defence ? why not let him in for all purposes ? To permit him to appear for all purposes, and to the same extent, as if he had fully answered, would no more violate the letter or spirit of the law, than to allow him to do one thing, or take one step, which the law says be may not do or take.

The case of Hutchinson v. Sangster, June term, 1854, cannot be said to be in point.- In that case, the defendant did answer, but it was held bad on demurrer. He, therefore, rested upon the sufficiency of his answer, and after the conclusion of the plaintiff’s testimony, asked leave to address the jury; and for certain instructions. It was held, in that case, that the leave should have been granted, and that he had a right to ask instructions, upon the ground that he did not fail to file his answer, nor withdraw his pleadings, and was not, therefore, in default within the meaning of the Code. It *75 is said in that case, that “ the judgment was rendered as the result of a defective answer, and not in default of an answer.” 'Without committing ourselves to the correctness of'the distinction there made, it is sufficient to say, that that case clearly recognizes the construction given by us to the Code, when there is, in fact, a judgment in default of an answer.

We next inquiro,-whether there was error in receiving the verdict of the jury, and rendering judgment thereon. The bill of exceptions states, that soon after the jury retired'to consider of their verdict-, the court adjourned for dinner, and before the court convened again, the said jury agreed upon their verdict, sealed the same up, and separated, without leave of the court; nor did the parties agree that said’jury might so separate. The jury having been1 called into the box, and being inquired of by the court, -if they had agreed upon their verdict, responded that they had', and passed the same to the cleric, sealed up in an envelope, to the reception of which verdict the defendant- objected, but the objection was overruled, and he excepted. To sustain the objection, appellant’s counsel-have referred us to several sections of the Code, and particularly to §§ 1780-81. By these sections, it is provided, that “ at any time before a cause is submitted to the jury, they may be permitted to separate, under the proper instructions of the courtand that “ after the cause is submitted, they must be kept together, without drink, except water, and without food, except when otherwise directed by the court.” And in § 1785, it is further provided, that “ when, by consent, the jury have been permitted to seal their verdict and separate before it is rendered, such sealing is equivalent to a rendition and recording thereof in open court. The'jury shall not be polled, nor shal-l they be permitted -to disagree thereto, unless such a course has been agreed upon between the parties.”

From these sections, as well as upon general principles,- ;it is claimed that the jury, after agreeing upon their verdict; had no right to separate, there being no agreement of the parties to that effect'; and that to receive their verdict under such circumstances, was error. In this view, we cannot con *76 cur. It is doubtless true, that it would be more regular, and there would be less liability of prejudice to parties, if jurors should be required in all cases, to deliver their verdict before separation. We think, that § 1781, however, is, as to the parties’ rights, directory in its character, and has reference more particularly to keeping the jury together until they have agreed, and to what shall be provided for them during their deliberations. ' If they separate after agreement, it may amount to misconduct on their parts, for which they may be liable; but such separation, would "not necessarily make the verdict void, or so taint it, as to prevent its reception. We say not necessarily; There might be cases, where after the separation, the verdict had been changed — or where, during the recess, some of the jurors had been tampered with, and induced to re-assemble and make another and different verdict; and under such circumstances, their action'would be clearly irregular and improper, and their finding should be at once set aside; but this would be a consequence, hot of the separation, but of their improper conduct during and after their separation. In this case, however, they were kept together until the\r had agreed; during their retirement, court adjourned ; having agreed -and carefully sealed their verdict, they separated; at the coming in of the court, all being present, thus sealed up, it was delivered by them to the clerk, and by them there acknowledged to be their verdict; and as such, it was opened and reád in their presence. There is not the least ground for an intimation, that the verdict had been changed; that they had been tampered with; nor that the verdict was different from what it would have been had the jury continued together. The objection would have more weight, if the separation had taken place before agreement. But even then, we do not believe that fact alone would render it bad. Where the separation is after the agreement, however, we have no hesitation in holding that it may be received; and if not otherwise attacked, will be good. See upon this subject generally, Ragland v. Wells, 6 Leigh, 1 ; Blake v. Blossom, 3 Shep. 394; Harrison v. Rowas, 4 Wash. *77 C. C. 32 ; Ex parte Hill, 3 Cow. 355 ; Erwin v. Saunders, 1 Ib. 243; Smith v. Thompson, Ib. 221; Oram v. Bishop, 7 Halst. 153; Horton v. Horton, 2 Cow. 589 ; Wright v. Burch field, 3 Ham. 352.

Judgment affirmed.