Herrick v. Waitt
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Tort for the alleged alienation of the affections of the plaintiff’s wife. Writ dated October 10, 1913. In the Superior Court the case was tried before White, J. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $15,000; and the judge, under the circumstance narrated in the opinion, allowed a bill of exceptions alleged by the defendant.
1Opinion of the CourtRtjgg, C. J.
At the conclusion of the evidence the defendant presented thirty-seven requests for instructions. The judge stated that he should not read them to the jury, but should deliver his •charge and thereafter counsel might, if they desired, call his attention to any instructions which they thought had not been given in substance.
This was correct practice. While of course a judge may read the requests to the jury with such comment as may be necessary in order to state the law correctly, ordinarily it is better and more effective to give a comprehensive charge stating plainly and forcibly the law…
2Cases cited6 opinions
- Commonwealth v. CostleyMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1875
- Whitney v. Wellesley & Boston Street Railway Co.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1908
- Commonwealth v. DowMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1914
- Commonwealth v. BoraskyMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1913
- Henderson v. SyndicateMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1903
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3Cited by34 opinions
- Davis v. Boston Elevated Railway Co.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1920
- Commonwealth v. UnderwoodMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1970
- Commonwealth v. GreenbergMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1959
- Berggren v. Mutual Life InsuranceMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1918
- Capano v. MelchionnoMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1937
29 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.