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Gaven v. Dopman

Supreme Court of California
Jul 1, 1855
5 Cal. 342 (Cal. 1855)

Opinion

         Appeal from the Superior Court of the City of San Francisco.

         COUNSEL:

         Saunders & Booraem and George C. Bates, for Appellants.

          Crockett & Page, for Respondent.


         No authorities were cited by counsel.

         JUDGES: Murray, C. J., delivered the opinion of the Court. Heydenfeldt, J., concurred.

         OPINION

          MURRAY, Judge

         This was an action of ejectment in the Court below. The testimony was conflicting, and the jury found for the plaintiff. The instructions of the Court, if incorrect in law, are all in favor of the defendant, and he cannot complain of the error. The fifth instruction asked for by the plaintiff, and given by the Court, is somewhat ambiguous; but from our understanding of its meaning, we are not prepared to say that it was erroneous, and we do not see how it could have prejudiced the interests of the defendant.

         The Court properly refused the motion for a new trial on the affidavit of Conway. It sets out facts entirely cumulative, and it would be a dangerous practice to admit a witness whose deposition has already been used on the trial, to come in after a verdict and patch up his testimony, particularly where the verdict shows that the jury disbelieved his first statement. It is reasonable to believe that he disclosed at least all he knew in his first deposition, and no greater latitude should be allowed in such a case than there would be had the witness been actually present and examined on the trial.

         Judgment affirmed.


Summaries of

Gaven v. Dopman

Supreme Court of California
Jul 1, 1855
5 Cal. 342 (Cal. 1855)
Case details for

Gaven v. Dopman

Case Details

Full title:Dominick Gaven, Respondent, v. Henry Dopman&Augustus Hellwig, Appellants

Court:Supreme Court of California

Date published: Jul 1, 1855

Citations

5 Cal. 342 (Cal. 1855)

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