McKinley v. Campbell , 217 Ala. 139 ( 1927 )

A complaint which, by use of the singular, leaves it uncertain as to which of two or more defendants is charged with wrong, is fatally defective, and will not support a judgment. Corona Coal Co. v. Huckelbey, 204 Ala. 508, 86 So. 25; Central of Ga. v. Carlock, 196 Ala. 659, 72 So. 261. It was reversible error for the trial court to refuse to allow one of defendants' counsel to object to a question of evidence. Const. 1901, § 10; Brown v. Mobile Elec. Co., 207 Ala. 61, 91 So. 802; Moulton v. State, 199 Ala. 411, 74 So. 454.

Black Fort, of Birmingham, for appellee.

On trial, only one counsel on each side shall examine a witness. This applies to making objections. Rule 18, 4 Code 1923, p. 901. Counsel discuss other questions but without citing additional authorities. This is an action for damages growing out of an automobile collision.

The defendants in the original complaint were D. E. McKinley Bro., a partnership, D. E. McKinley Bro., a corporation, D. R. McKinley, doing business as D. E. McKinley Bro., and D. R. McKinley, individually. By amendment, D. E. McKinley Bro., a corporation, was stricken from the complaint.

The complaint claims damages of "the defendant," avers that plaintiff's automobile was struck, etc., by the automobile truck of the defendant, and avers, further, that the injuries and damage suffered were caused "by the negligence of the defendant, or a servant, agent, or employee of the defendant, acting within the line and scope of his authority and employment as such." There is no reference anywhere to "defendants."

In Central of Georgia Ry. Co. v. Carlock, 196 Ala. 659, 661,72 So. 261, 262, passing upon the sufficiency of a similar complaint, this court said:

"It was imperative that the pleader make certain, at least to a common intent, in whose services, of the two defendants, the derelict agent or servant was when he committed the wrong for which recovery was sought. The count, as phrased, left entirely uncertain in whose service, of the two defendants, the derelict agent or servant was engaged when the wrong alleged was inflicted upon the plaintiff. In this state of the averments of the count, no other conclusion is possible under our authorities than that the count failed to state a 'valid' cause of action; and, being so completely ineffectual, no valid judgment could be predicated of the count. Osborne v. Cooper,113 Ala. 405, 21 So. 320, 59 Am. St. Rep. 117; L. N. R. R. Co. v. Duncan Orr, 137 Ala. 446, 453, 455, 34 So. 988, and decisions therein cited."

The Carlock Case was afterwards followed in Corona Coal Co. v. Huckelbey, 204 Ala. 508, 86 So. 25.

The instant case is clearly governed by those decisions, from which, under the rule of stare decisis, we do not venture to depart. The demurrer to the count should have been sustained, and was erroneously overruled.

The trial judge was in error in denying to one of defendants' counsel the right to make objections to evidence offered by plaintiff. The fact that an associate counsel was or had been conducting the examination of witnesses on behalf of defendants furnished no reason for such a denial. Parties have a constitutional right to be heard by counsel (Ala. Constitution of 1901, § 10), and this right cannot be restricted to representation by a single individual. The Legislature and the court itself may of course impose reasonable regulations upon the cumulative functioning of counsel in the conduct of a trial, but cannot properly suppress the timely and appropriate action of any individual counsel acting alone — without duplication — in the particular matter.

Several other matters complained of will scarcely recur on another trial, and need not be noticed.

For the errors noted, the judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded.

Reversed and remanded.

ANDERSON, C. J., and THOMAS and BROWN, JJ., concur.

On Rehearing.