Continental Casualty Co. v. Speer

Griffin Smith, Chief Justice.

John Henry Speer died July 31, 1947, from a gunshot wound. The circumstances were such that family, friends, and officials who were called, believed that the .22 calibre rifle bullet entering Speer’s head slightly above the right eye was fired with suicidal intent. There was no inquest.

Speer carried insurance with three'companies: Pacific Mutual, Continental Casualty, and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. The latter paid without suit.

The $2,000 policy by Pacific Mutual was against death through accidental means, excluding suicide. Continental Casualty would pay…