In re Estate of Cunningham
In re Estate of Cunningham
Opinion of the Court
argued that the Court should have left the facts to the J ury.
J. G. Severance and J. F. Sullivan, for the Respondent.
One of the questions submitted to the J ury was as follows: “ Was the execution of this will” (meaning the will filed July,
Subsequently the Court instructed the Jury that the question of “ undue influence, menace, duress, and fraud ” in the execution of this will was one submitted to them for their verdict. In short, the two instructions were contradictory—the one withdrawing from the Jury, and the other submitting to them the same question of fact, and must have confused them in their deliberations.
Judgment and order reversed, and cause remanded for a new trial.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In the Matter of the Estate of MARY CUNNINGHAM
- Cited By
- 6 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- CoNTESTnra a Winii.—If the probating of a will is contested on the ground that its execution was obtained by undue influence, evidence that the testator was intoxicated when it was executed is admissible in connection with other circumstances to show “undue influence ”; and if such testimony is introduced, the Court cannot take away from the Jury the right to find on the issue. Ixstbuctions to A Jubv.—If the instructions of the Court to the Jury are contradictory so as to confuse them in their deliberations, the verdict cannot be allowed to stand.