Katzenmeyer v. Kuske , 168 Minn. 93 ( 1926 )

¹ Reported in 209 N.W. 867. Appeal from an order denying an alternative motion for judgment non obstante or a new trial.

Plaintiff bought and paid for an automobile from defendant, which was to be delivered when he was ready for it. He claims he was to have a new car. Defendant claims plaintiff bought the identical car used for demonstrating purposes which had been driven about 600 miles. Several months after the purchase and before plaintiff was ready for his car, defendant left a car at his place. It was not satisfactory. Plaintiff claims it was a second-hand car which was in bad condition and had been used considerably. He refused to use or keep the car and tendered it to defendant demanding a new car or his money. This action followed to recover the money paid on the theory that he did not get what he bought.

1. Plaintiff alleged that the car delivered was one which defendant sold on July 12, 1921, to one Boehlke for $1,739.40, payable $752.40 cash, $493.50 on November 12, 1921, and $493.50 on March 12, 1922, and that Boehlke used the car from July, 1921, to May, 1922, when it was taken from him because of his default. Over defendant's objection plaintiff put in evidence the Boehlke contract and also other evidence of the Boehlke transaction to show the history of the car and to prove that it was not what he bought. Defendant seemed to think the only issue was whether plaintiff bought a new car, apparently contending that if the plaintiff did not buy a new car he was not entitled to any relief. Plaintiff claims that the car delivered was in no respect like the one agreed to be delivered and was not worth more than $500. He denies defendant's claim that the car was the identical one sold him. There is a sharp conflict in the evidence as to whether plaintiff bought a particular car or a new one and also whether the one delivered met the terms and conditions of the contract. Plaintiff was entitled to show what his contract called for and also what was delivered. The condition of the car delivered would have a bearing upon whether plaintiff agreed to pay the price of that particular car. F. M. Nat. Bank v. Przymus, 161 Minn. 85, 200 N.W. 931, and cases cited.

2. Defendant assigns as error the reception in evidence of the Boehlke contract for the additional reason that its terms show defendant received on the sale $752.40 and about a year later sold the same car to plaintiff with a discount of only $100 from the regular price of a new car. If the contract shows this transaction, which might have had an influence upon the jury, it cannot be helped. It was material to the issue and this edge on it could not exclude it from the case. However, before the jury learned the contents of this exhibit, plaintiff attempted to withdraw it because defendant had testified to the main facts sought to be proved by the contract. The withdrawal was for the benefit of defendant, for it was expressly stated that the exhibit might contain some matters that "might be prejudicial." Defendant objected to the withdrawal and thereby assumed the responsibility for its being in the case.

3. Defendant called Boehlke as a witness and attempted to prove that when the car was repossessed the initial payment was returned to Boehlke. The court sustained plaintiff's objection to this as immaterial. It was immaterial. But under the circumstances it would have been proper to have received the answer. The defendant, being responsible for the presence of the exhibit in the evidence, did not have a legal right to introduce evidence to destroy its prejudicial character. This rested in the discretion of the court. In this situation, supported by a record which indicates that substantial justice has been done, we cannot disturb the trial court's discretionary refusal to hear the evidence.

4. The eighth assignment of error based upon improper remarks by counsel in his argument to the jury fails for want of a record. State v. Peterson, 167 Minn. 216, 208 N.W. 761; State v. Cotter, 167 Minn. 263, 209 N.W. 4. The general reference by the trial court in the instructions to the jury concerning language of counsel is not sufficient.

Affirmed.