Opinion
Decided May 7, 1935.
Habits and characteristics are not proved by evidence of a single manifestation of them. Evidence of a number of instances may be admissible but even then it may be excluded in discretion if it is properly regarded as remote upon the issue to which it relates. Hence on the question whether a plaintiff had a general neurotic condition causing her to exaggerate the effects of an injury in litigation, evidence was properly excluded of her exaggerated claims in another action for an earlier injury. An exception to argument noted by the court is in effect a ruling that the argument is proper. Elements of damage do not include impositions in the nature of penalties to induce the defendant and others to conduct themselves properly thereafter. Hence, an argument urging the award of a verdict for the plaintiff "that will not only serve notice on the" defendant "but other public stores that their duty is not to be regarded lightly" was prejudicial as matter of law. An argument prejudicial as a matter of law is not cured by the denial of a motion to set the verdict aside on that ground.
ACTION, for negligence for personal injury. In a jury trial the plaintiff received a verdict. The court (Burque, J.) transferred exceptions of the defendant to the exclusion of evidence and to argument.
Aloysius J. Connor, for the plaintiff.
Wyman, Starr, Booth, Wadleigh Langdell (Mr. Wyman orally) for the defendant.
I. The defendant offered evidence of a neurotic condition of the plaintiff causing her to exaggerate the effects of any injury while litigation on account of it remained unsettled.
The competency of such evidence is clear. But, so far as the evidence was only of her conduct in one instance of earlier litigation, it is also clear that its admission would have been improper even in discretion. Its probative value would have been slight, and the resulting "impractical and confusing multiplicity of collateral issues" (Stocker v. Railroad, 83 N.H. 401, 405) would have tended to render the trial unfair. If after the introduction of other evidence of the condition evidence of its manifestation in a given situation were offered, or if there were a number of instances of the manifestation, discretion admitting it might be properly exercised. But it would then be matter of discretion unless remoteness were not to be found. Ordinarily a characteristic or an habitual course of conduct is not shown by a single occasion of exhibition. To admit evidence of this sort its relevancy must be reenforced by a finding that it will be of practical service. Beckman v. Souther, 68 N.H. 381; Curtice v. Dixon, 74 N.H. 386, 397; Lovett v. Railway, 85 N.H. 345, 352, and cases cited.
II. In argument, the jury were asked to award the plaintiff "a verdict that will not only serve notice on the Leavitt Company but other public stores that their duty is not to be regarded lightly in respect to that which is due to their customers." The record then shows the following: "Mr. Wyman: I except to that argument; it is very improper. My exception may be noted? The Court: Yes."
The exception was duly taken. ". . . in the absence of differentiating circumstances the allowance of an exception must be regarded implied sanction of the argument." Salvas v. Cantin, 85 N.H. 489, 491. See also Harvey v. Welch, 86 N.H. 72. The noting of an exception is its allowance, Christie v. Company, ante, 236.
The argument was prejudicial. Elements of damage do not include impositions in the nature of penalties, to induce the defendant and others to conduct themselves properly. Fay v. Parker, 53 N.H. 342; Bixby v. Dunlap, 56 N.H. 456; Brown v. Company, 237 Pa. St. 324; 64 C.J. 281.
The denial of the motion to set aside the verdict because of prejudice does not help the plaintiff. An uncured error as matter of law rendered the trial unfair. Burnham v. Stillings, 76 N.H. 122, 129-131.
III. Decision upon the remaining exceptions does not appear to be of service for the retrial of the action.
New trial.
All concurred.