In Re Will of Abee

Verdict and Judgment for propounders, and appeal by caveators, who assigned for error:

1. That his Honor declined to allow the caveators to recall a witness, one Mr. Reece, to testify on a matter as to which he had been already examined.

2. That the judge held that there was no evidence tending to establish undue influence. The court below refused to allow the caveators to recall for further examination the witness W. B. Reece, as to a conversation had between the witness and the testator, in reference to which, as stated in the case on appeal, "he had testified and, having been recalled, had again testified." Our decisions are to the effect that this (274) matter of recalling witnesses for further examination is in the discretion of the judge presiding at the trial, and his action in this respect is not open to review. Sutton v. Walters, 118 N.C. 495; Olive v. Olive,95 N.C. 485.

It is contended by appellants that the judge below did not make this ruling in the exercise of his discretion, but on the ground that he had no power to allow appellants to recall the witness; but we do not so interpret the order made. The court held that, on the facts stated, the right to recall a witness did not exist as a matter of law, and, in the exercise of its discretion, declined to permit that this should be one. The authorities cited, therefore, are decisive against appellants' position.

It was further urged for error that his Honor held that there was no evidence tending to show undue influence. It is established with us that, in order to avoid on this ground, the influence complained of must be controlling and partake to some extent of the nature of fraud. Marshall v.Flinn, 49 N.C. 199; Wright v. Howe, 52 N.C. 412; Paine v. Roberts,82 N.C. 451.

As held in Wright v. Howe, supra, "The influence which destroys the validity of a will is a fraudulent influence, controlling the mind of the testator so as to induce him to make a will which he would not otherwise have made." It would serve no good purpose to go into any extended or detailed statement of the testimony. We have carefully read and considered it as given in the case on appeal, and we fully concur with the trial judge that there is no evidence tending to show undue influence, and are of opinion that the judgment establishing the validity of the will should be affirmed.

No error.

Cited: Myatt v. Myatt, 149 N.C. 141; King v. R. R., 157 N.C. 62; S.v. Fogleman, 164 N.C. 460; In re Craven, 169 N.C. 569; In re Mueller,170 N.C. 29; In re Broach, 172 N.C. 523; McDonald v. McLendon, 173 N.C. 174,177.

(275)