Breazeale v. Radich, 4073

Decision Date15 August 1972
Docket NumberNo. 4073,4073
Citation500 P.2d 74
PartiesMelvin S. BREAZEALE, Appellant (Plaintiff below), v. Duschan T. RADICH, Appellee (Defendant below).
CourtWyoming Supreme Court

Robert W. Costin, Laramie, for appellant.

Peter J. Mulvaney, of Guy, Williams, White & Mulvaney, Cheyenne, for appellee.

Before McINTYRE, C. J., and PARKER, McEWAN and GUTHRIE, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Melvin S. Breazeale brought an action against Duschan T. Radich for damages resulting from an alleged assault and battery. After the case had been set for pretrial, the defendant moved for leave to file an amended answer which would plead the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense. Argument was heard on the motion and leave was granted for the defendant to amend his answer as requested.

Finding the statute of limitations had run, the trial court gave judgment for the defendant on the pleadings. The plaintiff appeals. In so doing, he concedes the statute of limitations had run and states the sole issue is whether the district court erred in allowing the defendant to file an amended answer raising the statute of limitations as a defense.

Inasmuch as defendant did not amend his answer within 20 days after it was served, he cannot and does not claim the right to amend as a matter of course. However, we interpret Rule 15(a), W.R.C.P., as allowing amendments to pleadings when the trial court in the proper exercise of its sound discretion finds that justice so requires and grants leave therefor.

This being our interpretation of the applicable rule, citation of authority is not necessary. We will say, we find no abuse of discretion in this case; and we need not delineate when an amendment may or may not be allowed because the grant or denial of leave to amend is within the discretion of the trial court. The matter is subject to reversal on appeal only for an abuse of that discretion.

Affirmed.

To continue reading

Request your trial
12 cases
  • Bird v. Rozier
    • United States
    • Wyoming Supreme Court
    • December 3, 1997
    ... ... 1039, 102 S.Ct. 1743, 72 L.Ed.2d 157 (1982); Breazeale v. Radich, 500 P.2d 74 (Wyo.1972). In this case, it appears from the file that it would be ... ...
  • Dynan v. Rocky Mountain Federal Sav. and Loan
    • United States
    • Wyoming Supreme Court
    • May 8, 1990
    ...Bush v. Duff, 754 P.2d 159 (Wyo.1988); Elder v. Jones, 608 P.2d 654 (Wyo.1980); Rose v. Rose, 576 P.2d 458 (Wyo.1978); Breazeale v. Radich, 500 P.2d 74 (Wyo.1972). The responsibility for presenting that evidence is assigned to Dynan. In this instance, he provides nothing to support his clai......
  • Ekberg v. Sharp
    • United States
    • Wyoming Supreme Court
    • September 30, 2003
    ...656 P.2d 547, 551 (Wyo.1983); Elder v. Jones, 608 P.2d 654, 657 (Wyo.1980); Rose v. Rose, 576 P.2d 458, 459 (Wyo.1978); Breazeale v. Radich, 500 P.2d 74, 74 (Wyo.1972). Judicial discretion is a composite of many things, among which are conclusions drawn from objective criteria; it means a s......
  • Hoiness-LaBar Ins. v. Julien Const. Co.
    • United States
    • Wyoming Supreme Court
    • October 8, 1987
    ...or deny a Rule 15(b) motion only where there has been an abuse of discretion. Rose v. Rose, Wyo., 576 P.2d 458 (1978); Breazeale v. Radich, Wyo., 500 P.2d 74 (1972); Strahan v. Strahan, Wyo., 400 P.2d 542 (1965). In determining the propriety of an amendment subject to this review, the basic......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT