Patton v. Klemmer

CHIPMAN, P. J.

This is an action to recover damages for an assault by defendant upon the person of plaintiff. The cause was tried by a jury and plaintiff had the verdict. Defendant appeals from the judgment entered upon the verdict and from the order denying his motion for a new trial.

[460]

There is abundant evidence of the assault and of its permanent and injurious effects upon plaintiff’s physical condition and to some extent upon his mental faculties. Defendant does not now contend that he did not assault plaintiff; he alleged in his answer, and attempted to prove at the trial, that plaintiff insulted him, ‘ ‘ and by language and immediate demonstrations of force threatened an assault upon defendant,” and that “for his proper protection and defense, and for no other reason, used such force and means as was necessary, and no more, to repel the assault which he reasonably apprehended was imminent and about to be made upon him by plaintiff.”

Defendant also alleged in his answer that he “delivered unto plaintiff certain sums of money, the same being for disputed rent, medical services, and all and singular the matters and things in controversy between plaintiff and defendant; that defendant (doubtless meaning plaintiff) accepted said payments in full satisfaction and discharge of all claims and demands whatsoever against defendant, and particularly of the demand set up in the complaint herein.”

The evidence, without conflict, showed that defendant assaulted plaintiff without himself being assaulted. Upon the issue, presented by the answer, that plaintiff used vile language toward defendant and threatened on assault upon him, the evidence is conflicting, as was also the evidence upon the issue, presented by the answer, that plaintiff accepted payments from defendant in satisfaction of any demands arising out of the assault. These issues having been fairly resolved by the jury, and there having been evidence sufficient to justify their conclusion, this court is without power to interfere.

Defendant complains' that certain three instructions, requested by him to be given the jury, were refused.

It appears from the record that instructions were given the jury by the court, but how many or upon what subjects, or upon what phases of the case, does not appear, for they are not in the record. All that the record shows is that the court refused to give the instructions requested by plaintiff.