Cleveland v. Stilwell , 75 Iowa 466 ( 1888 )

Beck, J.

1. Assault and battery: evidence against abetter. — I. The point mainly relied upon by counsel to reverse the case, if we are to judge from the attention given thereto, is that the evidence íails to connect the appellant, John Stilwell, with the assault, and that there is such a failure of proof to show that ffe aided or encouraged the other defendant, that the judgment ought to be set aside on that ground. We think this position of counsel is not well taken. While the evidence fails to show that appellant took a part in the assault, we think the jury were authorized to find therefrom that he encouraged and abetted the other defendant. The appellant is the father of the other defendant, who engaged with plaintiff ; and before it had ended, and plaintiff had received the injuries of which he complains, the appellant was certainly in an angry and excited manner demonstrating his interest on the side of his son, and, instead of attempting to make peace, was expressing his readiness to take part in the trouble. The jury, we think, were authorized to find that he aided or encouraged his son in his assault on plaintiff.

2. _: _: II. A witness was permitted to testify as to the acts and declarations of appellant before the fight was over. The evidence, we think, was competent, as it tended to show the spirit or purpose of the appellant rather to encourage and stimulate strife than to do the things which would have made for peace.

the same. III. A witness was permitted to testify that when appellant was informed that “there was damage done, he dropped his feathers pretty quick, and Harvey [the other defendant] to put his coat on.” The admission of the evidence is complained of. Its evident purpose is to show the appellant’s spirit and disposition to encourage the fight, and that he did not change this disposition until he heard of the injury done to plaintiif. The reference to the injury sustained by plaintiff could not have been prejudicial to appellant. The fact that such injuries were sustained was properly shown to the jury by other evidence.

3. _: two defendants: instructions. IV. It is insisted that an instruction is erroneous in that it does not “discriminate between the liability of appellant” and the other defendant. We think this was sufficiently done in Q^er instructions, which directed the jury that, if they found that appellant aided, advised or encouraged “the fight, he is liable.” The liability of the other defendant for the actual assault, if found, is correctly stated to the jury.

4. _: punitive damages instructions. V. Many objections to the instructions are made in the assignment of errors. All are not argued. We are of the opinion that the instructions fairly pregent the law to the jury. Counsel’s objections to them are m many instances much in the nature of criticism. The jury were directed that, upon finding that the assault was unprovoked, and wantonly and maliciously made, they could allow punitive damages. It is claimed that there is no evidence showing the facts justifying punitive damages, and the instruction was therefore erroneously given. But we cannot say that there was no such evidence, and we think, as the verdict was for ninety dollars, and the evidence shows that plaintiff’s jaw-bone was broken, the jury in fact allowed no punitive damages, for the actual damages surely equaled the amount found by the jury. No prejudice could have resulted to the defendant from the instruction complained of. We do not feel called on further to notice the instructions. In our opinion they are without error. Other matters in the case do not demand attention. The judgment of the district court is Affirmed.