State ex rel. Eastvold v. Superior Court

The question presented is whether or not the trial court, in a condemnation proceeding brought by the state of Washington to acquire property for highway purposes, has authority to grant a new trial, after a verdict by a jury determining the compensation to be paid, and before entry of judgment on that verdict.

An order adjudicating public use of the land in question was regularly entered, and a jury trial was had to determine the amount of compensation to be paid to owners of the property. A verdict was returned, but, before the entry of judgment on that verdict, the owners moved for a new…