Hawk v. Pine Lumber Co., 149 N.C. 16 (1908)

Nov. 5, 1908 · Supreme Court of North Carolina

149 N.C. 16

G. E. HAWK v. THE PINE LUMBER COMPANY.

(Filed 5 November, 1908).

Defendant’s Appeal.

1. Instructions — Credibility of Witnesses — Questions for Jury.

An instrúction which deprives the jury of the right to pass upon the credibility of the witnesses is properly refused.

2. Appeal and Error — Both Parties Appeal — New Trial.

When a new trial has been granted by the Supreme Court in the appeal of one of the parties, litigant, the appeal in the same action by the other party will be dismissed.

ActioN tried before Neal, J., and a jury, November Term, 1907, of CRAVEN.

W. I). Mclver, and D. L. Ward for plaintiff.

W. W. Clark, Simmons, Ward £ Allen and Moore & Dunn for defendant.

Walker, J.

This is an appeal by the defendant, from 'the refusal of the Court to grant a new trial, because the Court refused to give the jury, as requested to do so by bis counsel, the following instruction: “Upon the whole evidence," you will answer the eighth issue ‘Yes.’ ” The issues are set out in the plaintiff’s appeal and reference is made thereto'. The request was not in proper form, as it deprived the jury of the right to pass upon the credibility of the witnesses. Mfg. Co. v. R. R., 128 N. C., at pp. 284, 285, and cases cited; Merrell v. Dudley, 139 N. C., 57. The burden of the eighth issue was upon the defendant.

Eut we’ will not decide the case upon the inaccurate and disapproved form of the prayer. If we did so, it would affirm the judgment in this appeal. In the plaintiffs 'appeal we have directed a now trial, as to all the issues, and this appeal^ therefore, becomes unnecessary, for the defendant will get what it is asking for by our giving a new trial in that appeal. Therefore, the proper course now is to dismiss this appeal;

Appeal dismissed.