Puget Sound Electric Ry. v. Matson
Puget Sound Electric Ry. v. Matson
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiff below, Matson, was injured by an electric train operated by the defendant below. Matson recovered a verdict. He testified: That at about 11 o’clock at night, when the train came into Pacific City bound for Tacoma, it stopped an instant at the depot and let one man off; that he was standing at the lower end of the depot when the train came in and stopped; that he started to go up to board the car, grabbed the handhold with his right hand and was going to step on the car, when the train started with a jerk, pulled him, overbalanced him, threw him around, and the wheel went sideways 'across his foot; that he saw no conductor; that when the train stopped before the accident he was standing close to a turnstile, which was at the end of the platform in front of the station house; that he did not run to catch the car; that the vestibule was open; that he saw a man when he came from the car, but he could not say what step the man got off of; that he passed the man near the turnstile; that when he boarded the car the door was opposite the door of the depot.
“Q. Now, did you have a conversation this morning with Mr. Woods in reference to what would happen to you if you testified this morning? A. Mr. Woods spoke to me in the hall out there this morning. Q. What did he say with reference to your appearing here as a witness? A. He said, if I lied like I did the other time, he would send me to the penitentiary. Q. When did he tell you ihat? A. About an hour ago. Q. He told you, if you lied like you did the other time, he would have you arrested for perjury, didn’t he? A. Yes, and have me sent to the penitentiary.”
The witness was then excused, and the following colloquy was had:
“The Oourt (addressing Mr. Woods): If he lied the other time, why have you not had him arrested before this time?
“Mr. Woods: Your honor will remember that in the other trial (interrupted) — ■
“Mr. Oakley: I .do not think it is necessary to have any explanation.
“The Oourt: If you made that remark in good faith (interrupted)—
“Mr. Woods: I made that remark in good faith.
“The Court: Why didn’t you have him arrested when this trial came off? Why were you holding it over him when he was a witness in this case?
“Mr. Woods: The testimony is practically the same now as it was before, that he stood there 50 or 75 feet away; he testified that he recognized the witness; I understood the witness to testify in the other trial that he recognized this man (interrupted)—
“The Oourt: I did not ask you to rehash this testimony, but if you thought he had perjured himself, and if you were able to prove it, it would seem to be your duty to start that prosecution, and not try to influence his testimony in this trial by talking to him about it.
"Mr. Woods: Well, all I want is the truth, and I cannot see where he is telling the truth.
“Mr. Oakley: It is an attempt to intimidate a witness.
“(Defendant rests.)”
We are of one mind in condemning the conduct o(f counsel for Mat-son. It was highly discreditable, and the authority of the court might, with all fitness have been invoked to punish' in appropriate manner. Savin, Petitioner, 131 U. S. 267, 9 Sup. Ct. 699, 33 L. Ed. 150. But. there is nothing to warrant the belief that the witness was affected by the threat of counsel. His testimony as to the material points in the case was positive, and directly in support of the theory advanced by defendant. The jury weighed the credibility of the witness, and evidently did not believe his statements. As no direct prejudice to the rights of the defendant appears, we are not prepared to say that as a matter of public policy the District Court erred iii not setting aside the verdict of the jury.
“ * * * But the passenger, and the plaintiff in this case, by the same rule is not held to that high degree of care which, the carrier was bound to use.”
When the whole charge of the court is considered, we believe it fairly stated the law, and that none of the assignments of error is well founded. The judgment is therefore affirmed.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- PUGET SOUND ELECTRIC RY. v. MATSON
- Status
- Published