Ward v. Davis, 39591

Citation281 P.2d 1084,177 Kan. 629
Decision Date09 April 1955
Docket NumberNo. 39591,39591
PartiesRoy WARD, Appellee, v. Daryl DAVIS, Appellant.
CourtUnited States State Supreme Court of Kansas

Syllabus by the Court.

When one of the Justices of this Court is legally disqualified to participate in a decision of the issues raised on an appeal from District Court and the remaining six Justices are equally divided in their conclusions as to its disposition, the judgment of the trial court must be affirmed.

Robert N. Partridge, Wichita, argued the cause and George B. Powers, Samuel E. Bartlett, Carl T. Smith, John F. Eberhardt, Stuart R. Carter, Robert C. Foulston, Malcolm Miller, and Robert M. Siefkin, Wichita, were with him on the briefs for appellant.

Roy H. Wasson, Wichita, argued the cause and was on the briefs for appellee.

PARKER, Justice.

This was an action to recover for personal injuries and property damage sustained when a motor truck and an automobile collided at the intersection of two country roads. Issues were joined respecting negligence on the part of the driver of each vehicle and the case was tried by a jury which returned a verdict for the plaintiff. Upon the overruling of post trial motions the Honorable Clair E. Robb, then trial judge of Division No. 3, of the District Court of Sedgwick County, and now a member of this Court and therefore ineligible to participate in appellate review of his trial court rulings and decisions, approved the verdict and rendered judgment in accord therewith. Thereupon defendant appealed from the judgment and all intermediate rulings.

For reasons to be presently stated it would serve no useful purpose and add nothing to the body of our law to make detailed reference to the contentions advanced by the parties in their briefs and on oral arguments respecting the merits of this appeal. It suffices to say that after an extended conference regarding its disposition, at which all briefs and oral arguments were thoroughly discussed and carefully considered, three of the qualified members of this Court are of the opinion the judgment should be affirmed and three are convinced it should be reversed and the cause remanded to the District Court for a new trial. The established rule in this jurisdiction, see, e. g., State ex rel. Wilson v. Holsman, 175 Kan. 476, 264 P.2d 919, is that where one of the Justices is legally disqualified to participate in a decision of the issues raised on an appeal and the remaining six Justices are equally divided in their conclusions...

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5 cases
  • Town of Lovell v. Menhall
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Wyoming
    • October 29, 1963
    ...Statutory Commission, 100 Colo. 82, 65 P.2d 710, certiorari denied 302 U.S. 695, 58 S.Ct. 13, 82 L.Ed. 537; and Ward v. Davis, 177 Kan. 629, 281 P.2d 1084, 1085. There is grave danger that such opinions will cause misunderstandings and difficulties. Johns v. Johns, 20 Md. 58. For such reaso......
  • Thornton v. Shore, 54477
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Kansas
    • December 3, 1982
    ...1078 (1978); Scott v. Harber, 187 Kan. 542, 358 P.2d 723 (1961); Blasi v. Miller, 181 Kan. 967, 317 P.2d 414 (1957); Ward v. Davis, 177 Kan. 629, 281 P.2d 1084 (1955); State, ex rel. v. Holsman, 175 Kan. 476, 264 P.2d 919 (1953); Holderman v. Hood, 67 Kan. 851, 73 P. 1132 (1903); 5 Am.Jur.2......
  • Blasi v. Miller, 40613
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Kansas
    • November 9, 1957
    ...it should be reversed and the cause remanded for a new trial. The established rule of this jurisdiction (See, e. g., Ward v. Davis, 177 Kan. 629, 281 P.2d 1084; State ex rel. Wilson v. Holsman, 175 Kan. 476, 264 P.2d 919; Holderman v. Hood, 67 Kan. 851, 73 P. 1132) is that where one of the ......
  • Scott v. Harber
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Kansas
    • January 21, 1961
    ...court must stand. Holderman v. Hood, 67 Kan. 851, 73 P. 1132; State ex rel. Wilson v. Holsman, 175 Kan. 476, 264 P.2d 919; Ward v. Davis, 177 Kan. 629, 281 P.2d 1084; Blasi v. Miller, 181 Kan. 967, 317 P.2d 414; 5 B C.J.S. Appeal and Error § 1844b, p. 252; 3 Am.Jur., Appeal and Error, § 116......
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