Girod Lube v. Ortiz Rolón
Girod Lube v. Ortiz Rolón
Opinion of the Court
JUDGMENT
The opinion and judgment entered on July 19, 1962 by the District Court, Guayama Part, in a civil action initiated in 1960, show that on November 1, 1961 a hearing was held at which all the litigating parties were present except the “third-party defendant,” Vicente Colón Morales, who had been summoned in the suit to answer for his warranty against eviction. His nonappearance was due to the fact that he was ill, “and the Court moved to his residence where he testified.” It should be stated that Colón had acquiesced to plaintiffs’ request and that in the written allegations submitted he practically admitted all the facts alleged in the complaint. The hearing was continued on December 27 when some documentary evidence was received. The judge said, “On the basis of all the documentary evidence recited and of the testimony introduced [sic] by Vicente Colón Morales, the parties submitted the case. . . .” The complaint was dismissed.
On August 13 Judge Santiago prepared the statement of the ease in which he merely included the testimony of the witness mentioned after making clear that the court “at the request of the plaintiffs held court at the residence of Vicente Colón Morales, Barrio Grand Stand, Guayama, because it was alleged that said witness was sick.” The statement is long and detailed. No amendments or corrections were requested.
On September 1 appellants requested that the judgment be vacated and a new trial be granted on the ground that
It is true that Rule 2 of said rules (Práctica Forense Puertorriqueña, Yol. 1, p. 418) provides that unless at the commencement of the trial or in the course thereof the parties waive their right to have the proceedings recorded mechanically, the presiding district judge shall order the entire proceeding to be recorded mechanically. But nothing requires this waiver to be express. It may be tacit, as in this case. The petition of the original attorney of the plaintiffs to obtain the testimony of a witness favorable to his cause outside the court’s premises because of illness is tantamount to an implicit waiver of the recording of the testimony.
As no objections were made to the statement prepared by Judge Santiago, it is appropriate for the Superior Court to take cognizance of the appeal on the basis of the record sent to it.
The order of the Superior Court, Guayama Part, of December 1, 1964 is hereby overruled and the case remanded for the continuation of the proceedings.
It was so decreed and ordered by the Court as witnesses the signature of the Chief Justice.
I attest:
(s) Ignacio Rivera General Secretary
In view of the long time elapsed preference should be given, to the extent the Court calendar permits, to the decision of this appeal, once the parties have submitted the corresponding briefs. ‘ ’
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.