Silverthorn v. Hennigan, 20461

Decision Date17 March 1971
Docket NumberNo. 20461,20504.,20461
Citation439 F.2d 704
PartiesBerniece SILVERTHORN, Appellant, v. William HENNIGAN, Jr., Appellee. Berniece SILVERTHORN, Appellee, v. William HENNIGAN, Jr., Appellant.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Eighth Circuit

Dale L. Spencer, Des Moines, Iowa, made argument for Berniece Silverthorn.

L. R. Voigts, Des Moines, Iowa, made argument for William Hennigan, Jr.

Before MATTHES, Chief Judge, VAN OOSTERHOUT and GIBSON, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM.

In this diversity litigation the plaintiff sued to recover damages resulting from injuries to her person and property suffered in an automobile collision in Des Moines, Iowa. She has appealed from the final judgment against her entered on July 8, 1970. Defendant filed a cross-appeal from the denial of several of its motions.

At the first trial a verdict and judgment were rendered in favor of the plaintiff for $27,500 with interest as provided by law plus her costs. Thereupon the defendant filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and motion for a new trial. The trial court denied the motion for a judgment n. o. v. but granted the motion for a new trial on the grounds that to allow the verdict to stand would constitute an injustice to the defendant and would represent a gross miscarriage of justice; that the evidence did not warrant the verdict rendered; and that the jury did not follow the court's instructions.

The second trial resulted in a verdict and judgment for the defendant. The plaintiff contends on this appeal that the trial court abused its discretion in setting aside the verdict of the jury in her favor and granting a new trial.

The law is well established that the granting of a new trial is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial judge and unless that discretion patently has been abused, his ruling on the motion is not subject to review. Bates v. Hensley, 414 F.2d 1006 (8th Cir. 1969); Trice v. Commercial Union Assurance Co., 334 F.2d 673 (6th Cir. 1964); Minnesota Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Wright, 312 F.2d 655 (8th Cir. 1963); Paine v. St. Paul Union Stockyards Co., 28 F.2d 463 (8th Cir. 1928).

We have carefully canvassed the record and are fully convinced that there is no rational basis for holding that the trial court acted arbitrarily or abused its discretion in granting a new trial.

In view of the disposition of plaintiff's appeal, it is unnecessary to discuss the cross-appeal.

The judgment is affirmed.

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5 cases
  • Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. v. Aalco Wrecking Co., Inc.
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Eighth Circuit
    • August 7, 1972
    ...Generally this court has upheld the exercise of the trial court's grant of a new trial as within his discretion. Silverthorn v. Hennigan, 439 F.2d 704, 705 (8 Cir. 1971); Bates v. Hensley, 414 F.2d 1006, 1011 (8 Cir. 1969); Simpson v. Skelly Oil Co., 371 F.2d 563, 566-567, 570 (8 Cir. 1967)......
  • Jamestown Farmers Elevator, Inc. v. General Mills, Inc.
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of South Dakota
    • May 3, 1976
    ...Co., Inc., 466 F.2d 179, 185-186 (8th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 410 U.S. 930, 93 S.Ct. 1371, 35 L.Ed.2d 592 (1973); Silverthorn v. Hennigan, 439 F.2d 704, 705 (8th Cir. 1971); Bates v. Hensley, 414 F.2d 1006, 1011 (8th Cir. 1969); Farmers Cooperative Elevator Association Non-Stock of Big Sp......
  • Nodak Oil Co. v. Mobil Oil Corp.
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Eighth Circuit
    • April 13, 1976
    ...Generally, this court has upheld the exercise of the trial court's grant of a new trial as within its discretion. Silverthorn v. Hennigan, 439 F.2d 704 (8th Cir. 1971); Bates v. Hensley, 414 F.2d 1006, 1011 (8th Cir. 1969); Simpson, Nodak's primary argument against the granting of a new tri......
  • Sanassarian v. State of California, 25600.
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit
    • March 25, 1971
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