Pope v. Commonwealth Bonding Cas.

The suit was brought by appellee against appellant to cancel an accident and health policy, upon alleged grounds of fraud in procuring the issuance of the same. The defendant answered by denial, and by cross-action sought recovery on the policy for an alleged accidental injury to the left leg, resulting in its partial loss, and also for libel. The court peremptorily instructed a verdict for the cancellation of the policy, and against the cross-action of the defendant. The appellant predicates error upon the giving of the peremptory instruction. There appears in the statement of facts, properly agreed to by the parties and approved by the court, the recital of proceedings had immediately before the instruction was given.

According to the record, without copying the whole statement, the court had the jury to retire, and then intimated to the parties that he would not allow a verdict to stand in favor of appellant, in view of the testimony, and "thereupon a general consultation between the court and the attorneys for both sides as to the course that should be pursued occurred," which resulted in the final suggestion that a peremptory instruction be given. After the consultation between the court and the attorneys had occurred, the record states that "thereupon Pope's attorneys asked for time to consult their client, and they and Pope retired to the rear of the courtroom, and after some minutes returned and announced that they had no objection to that proceeding." The effect of the proceeding was, we think, that appellant consented to the giving of the peremptory instruction, and, having consented, he cannot now complain. English v. City of Ft. Worth, 152 S.W. 179.

The second assignment makes the contention that the court, over the objection of the defendant, made the defendant rest his case before he had introduced all of his testimony. The recital mentioned of the proceedings shows that the court asked the counsel for the defendant, "Have you any testimony to offer on behalf of the defendant?" to which the attorney replied, "We have not, your honor; we rest."

In the state of the record the judgment is affirmed.