Webster v. Halbridge

This is an action for damages for personal injuries and property damage in which the trial court directed against the defendant on liability. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $1,600. The trial court sustained plaintiff’s motion for a new trial because in his opinion the jury was influenced by matters not relevant to the case and the verdict was inadequate. Defendant perfected an appeal to this court.

Under our law a motion for a new trial is ordinarily addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and is not subject to review absent an abuse of discretion.…