Kelly v. Bywater
Kelly v. Bywater
Opinion of the Court
On August 12, 1956, plaintiff Timothy Kelly, then eight and one-half years of
Plaintiff initially contends that the trial court erred in its instruction to the jury concerning -whether or not plaintiff was a guest passenger within the meaning of Michigan’s guest passenger statute.
Plaintiff requested that the following instruction be given:
“The law presumes that a child between the ages of 7 and 14 does not possess sufficient ability, intelligence or experience to become a ‘guest’ under the guest passenger act.”
The trial court refused to give the requested instruction. The statement of law in plaintiff’s requested instruction was incorrect and the instruction as given was proper. Burhans v. Witbeck (1965), 375 Mich 253.
Plaintiff’s allegation that the trial court’s charge to the jury was confusing because it incorporated language of a Supreme Court opinion is without merit.
There is ample evidence to support the verdict and the trial court’s instructions as to the law applicable to the evidence presented were thorough and fair.
Affirmed. Costs to appellee.
OLS 1961, § 257.401 (Stat Ann 1968 Rev § 9. 2101).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.