Ratigan v. Judge

Full title: JOHN B. RATIGAN, executor, vs. THOMAS JUDGE

Court: Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. Worcester

Date published: Jun 17, 1902

64 N.E. 204 (Mass. 1902)

64 N.E. 204

Opinion

March 18, 1902.

June 17, 1902.

Present: HOLMES, C.J., KNOWLTON, MORTON, LATHROP, BARKER, HAMMOND, LORING, JJ.

Evidence, Opinion.

On the issue of soundness of mind a witness not an expert cannot be asked whether an alleged testator was subject to delusions or hallucinations.

APPEAL from a decree of the Probate Court of the County of Worcester, allowing a certain instrument as the will of one Lackey Judge.

The case was sent to the Superior Court for the trial of issues framed by a justice of this court. The issues were as follows: "First. Was the instrument propounded as the last will and testament of Lackey Judge duly executed in accordance with law? Second. Was the said Lackey Judge, at the time of the execution of said will, of sound mind? Third. Was said Lackey Judge procured to execute said will by fraud and undue influence exercised upon him by Andrew Judge and Mary Judge, or one of them."

At the trial of the issues before Fox, J., the appellant offered in evidence the depositions of certain persons living in Clinton, Missouri. Each of these depositions contained the question in regard to the alleged testator "Was he subject to delusions or hallucinations?" The questions and the answers to them were excluded by the judge, and the appellant excepted. None of the witnesses were qualified as experts. The excluded answers were, in substance, that the alleged testator was under a delusion that some one was trying to poison him or that he was being poisoned.

The jury answered the first two issues in the affirmative and the third in the negative, thus sustaining the will; and the appellant alleged exceptions.

The case was submitted on briefs at the sitting of the court in March, 1902, and afterwards was submitted on briefs to all the justices.

W.C. Mellish G.K. Hudson, for the appellant.

J.B. Ratigan, H. Parker, R.P. Esty, for the executor.

BARKER, J.

The question, "Was he subject to delusions or hallucinations?" required of the deponent an opinion upon the mental condition of the testator. See Clark v. Clark, 168 Mass. 523, and cases cited.

Exceptions overruled.