Blanton v. Marchbanks

Decision Date01 June 1976
Docket NumberNo. 52155,No. 2,52155,2
Citation139 Ga.App. 158,228 S.E.2d 285
PartiesJ. L. BLANTON et al. v. Corinne W. MARCHBANKS et al
CourtGeorgia Court of Appeals

Carlisle & Carlisle, Ralph E. Carlisle, Decatur, for appellants.

Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy, Jerry B. Blackstock, James M. Griffin, Atlanta, for appellees.

MARSHALL, Judge.

Appellant Blanton in his own behalf and as next friend for his minor son Bobby, brings this appeal from the action of the trial judge in directing a verdict for Marchbanks at the conclusion of plaintiff's case and the subsequent denial of a motion for new trial.

The facts reflect that Bobby Blanton was riding his bicycle on the right outside edge of a heavily traveled road in Clayton County at about 5:30 P.M. on the afternoon in question. The evidence established that numerous cars proceeding in the same direction had passed Bobby without incident. Ms. Marchbanks for reasons not shown by the record suddenly applied her brakes, skidded and the car and the bicycle collided. Bobby asserted he was struck from behind because he never saw the car that collided with his bicycle. He stated he would have seen it if the car had been alongside. Bobby's only knowledge of the incident was that he was riding his bicycle in a normal fashion when suddenly he was violently propelled straight forward over the handlebars. No horn was sounded at or just before the incident. Two partial eyewitnesses stated all they saw was the boy flying through the air. One of these witnesses stated she heard the squeal of brakes and that is what attracted her attention. There was a dispute as to whether there was damage to the front and rear of the bicycle or only to the front. Bobby and his father both stated that only the front of the bicycle required repairs. Another witness, who removed the bicycle from the scene, stated the rear wheel was bent and would not freely turn.

The trial court, holding that the Blantons had presented no affirmative eyewitness testimony that Ms. Marchbanks was negligent in any particular manner, upon motion, directed a verdict for Marchbanks. Blanton enumerates four errors. The first two relate to the directing of these verdicts and the denial of the motion for new trial. The third relates to the alleged erroneous exclusion of evidence by the trial court. The fourth has been expressly abandoned. Held:

1. Marchbanks has filed with this court as well as the court below a motion to dismiss the appeal. The basis of the motion is that Blanton failed to provide for the filing of the transcript following his notice of appeal. It is noted that the direction of the verdict for Marchbanks occurred on September 10, 1975. The motion for new trial was denied on November 17, 1975. Blanton filed a pauper's affidavit on December 4, 1975. A notice of appeal was filed on December 9, 1975. An order requesting extension of time to file the transcript was filed on February 4, 1976, but never signed by the trial judge. The motion to dismiss filed by Marchbanks was denied on February 17, 1976, and the trial court directed the clerk to transmit the appeal. The court in its February 17 order expressly recognized a 'proper application for extension of time' as having been filed on February 4, 1976, and apparently ratified the earlier motion for extension of time. See Altamaha Convalescent Center, Inc. v. Godwin, 137 Ga.App. 394, 395(1), 224 S.E.2d 76.

Marchbanks complains that the transcript properly was not filed because the clerk refused to transmit the transcript until Blanton paid costs. However, there is no indication in the record that Blanton's pauper's affidavit filed on December 4, 1975, was frivolous or not accepted by the court. The record does not disclose whether Blanton ultimately paid costs or whether the record and transcript were transmitted pursuant to the order of the trial court of February 17, 1976. In any event, the cause for delay in the processing of an appeal is a fact issue for determination in the trial court. Southeastern Plumbing Supply Co. v. Lee, 232 Ga. 626, 629, 208 S.E.2d 449. See also: Taylor v. Whitmire, 234 Ga. 449, 450, 216 S.E.2d 310. We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion to dismiss the appeal. Gilman Paper Co. v. James, 235 Ga. 348, 349, 219 S.E.2d 447. Likewise, we deny the motion to dismiss the appeal. Helms v. Robertson, 236 Ga. 297, 223 S.E.2d 636.

2. As we view the controversy in this case, conflicts...

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9 cases
  • Cannon v. Barnes
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 20 Octubre 2020
    ...relevancy should be admitted and its weight left to the jurors.") (citation and punctuation omitted); Blanton v. Marchbanks , 139 Ga. App. 158, 161 (3), 228 S.E.2d 285 (1976) (evidence offered to show the plaintiff's state of mind included "the mental fear, pain and suffering"). The evidenc......
  • Picket v. Paine
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 9 Septiembre 1976
    ...was here exercised, and no abuse has been shown. See Taylor v. Whitmire, 234 Ga. 449, 450, 216 S.E.2d 310; compare Blanton v. Marchbanks, 139 Ga.App. 158(1), 228 S.E.2d 285. Judgment MARSHALL and SMITH, JJ., concur. ...
  • Davis v. Cincinnati Ins. Co.
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 6 Enero 1982
    ...mind) where that is in issue, those facts are admissible in evidence, not as hearsay, but as original evidence. Blanton v. Marchbanks, 139 Ga.App. 158, 161(3), 228 S.E.2d 285. Appellant Davis has advanced no reason to justify a new trial on any of the issues 4. In its cross appeal, Cincinna......
  • Carrollton Federal Sav. & Loan Ass'n v. Young
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 4 Enero 1983
    ...OCGA § 24-3-1 (Code Ann. § 38-301). See also Holiday Homes v. Bragg, 132 Ga.App. 594(2), 208 S.E.2d 608 (1974); Blanton v. Marchbanks, 139 Ga.App. 158(3), 228 S.E.2d 285 (1976). We find no grounds for reversal for any reason Judgment affirmed. McMURRAY, P.J., and BIRDSONG, J., concur. ...
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