Ando v.Woodberry

This appeal calls upon us to decide a question of first impression in this court: May a defendant’s prior plea of guilt to a traffic offense be introduced as evidence of his carelessness in a civil action for damages ?

The relevant facts are simple and undisputed. Robert Ando, a police officer, driving a motorcycle, and Edward Nichols, driving an automobile owned by Essie Woodberry, were both proceeding north on Fifth Avenue, New York' City, on the afternoon of December 28, 1955. Car and motorcycle collided when Mr. Nichols attempted to make a left turn at 110th Street, and Officer Ando was…