absent witness instruction (Wisconsin) · Go Syfert
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absent witness instruction in Wisconsin

9 Wisconsin opinions name it 2 courts 1967–2014 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Wisconsin courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (8)

CaseFollowedCited
Ballard v. Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co.green
wis · 1967 · cited in 2 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 1975–2014
2 sentences

2014In Ballard, this court stated that the absent witness instruction does not place a burden on a party to call "every possible witness to a fact." Id.

2014In Ballard , this court stated that the absent witness instruction does not place a burden on a party to call "every possible witness to a fact." Id.

12
Graves v. United Statesgreen
scotus · 1893 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
2 sentences

2014Absent Witness Instruction ¶12 Over a century ago, the United States Supreme Court issued a definitive statement of the absent witness rule: "[I]f a party has it peculiarly within his power to produce witnesses whose testimony would elucidate the transaction, the fact that he does not do it creates the presumption that the testimony, if 6 No. 2011AP1956 produced, would be unfavorable." Graves v. United States, 150 U.S. 118, 121 (1893); Herbert v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 911 F.2d 1044, 1046 (5th Cir. 1990).

2014Over a century ago, the United States Supreme Court issued a definitive statement of the absent witness rule: "[I]f a party has it peculiarly within his power to produce witnesses whose testimony would elucidate the transaction, the fact that he does not do it creates the presumption that the testimony, if produced, would be unfavorable." Graves v. United States, 150 U.S. 118, 121 (1893); Herbert v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 911 F.2d 1044, 1046 (5th Cir. 1990).

11
Coney v. Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Corp.green
wis · 1959 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
2 sentences

2014See Coney, 8 Wis. 2d at 527 (where employee was a material witness, "the failure on the part of the defendant to call its own employee as a witness, or to satisfactorily explain the reason for his not being called as a witness permits an inference that the witness' testimony would be or is unfavorable to the defendant's cause."). ¶89 In sum, the majority errs by analyzing its own skewed version of the circuit court's rationale rather than analyzing the actual rationale stated on the record.

2014See Coney, 8 Wis. 2d at 527 (where employee was a material witness, "the failure on the part of the defendant to call its own employee as a witness, or to satisfactorily explain the reason for his not being called as a witness permits an inference that the witness' testimony would be or is unfavorable to the defendant's cause."). ¶ 89.

11
Jessie Herbert v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.green
ca5 · 1990 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
2 sentences

2014Absent Witness Instruction ¶12 Over a century ago, the United States Supreme Court issued a definitive statement of the absent witness rule: "[I]f a party has it peculiarly within his power to produce witnesses whose testimony would elucidate the transaction, the fact that he does not do it creates the presumption that the testimony, if 6 No. 2011AP1956 produced, would be unfavorable." Graves v. United States, 150 U.S. 118, 121 (1893); Herbert v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 911 F.2d 1044, 1046 (5th Cir. 1990).

2014Over a century ago, the United States Supreme Court issued a definitive statement of the absent witness rule: "[I]f a party has it peculiarly within his power to produce witnesses whose testimony would elucidate the transaction, the fact that he does not do it creates the presumption that the testimony, if produced, would be unfavorable." Graves v. United States, 150 U.S. 118, 121 (1893); Herbert v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 911 F.2d 1044, 1046 (5th Cir. 1990).

11
Feldstein v. Harringtongreen
wis · 1958 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
2 sentences

2014See Feldstein v. Harrington, 4 Wis. 2d 380, 390 , 90 N.W.2d 566 (1958) ("It also would have been proper for plaintiff's counsel to comment in the argument to the jury on such failure of the defendants to have called Dr. Houkom, if the fact had previously been established in evidence that such doctor had examined the plaintiff at the defendants' request."); cf. Ballard., 33 Wis. 2d at 615 ("[The court] did permit the defendant to comment to the jury upon the nonproduction of the chiropractor and, as a consequence, the defendant could not have been prejudiced by the failure to give the specific

2014See Feldstein v. Harrington, 4 Wis. 2d 380, 390 , 90 N.W.2d 566 (1958) ("It also would have been proper for plaintiff's counsel to comment in the argument to the jury on such failure of the defendants to have called Dr. Houkom, if the fact had previously been established in evidence that such doctor had examined the plaintiff at the defendants' request."); cf. Ballard., 33 Wis. 2d at 615 ("[The court] did permit the defendant to comment to the jury upon the nonproduction of the chiropractor and, as a consequence, the defendant could not have been prejudiced by the failure to give the specific

11
Sweet v. Bergegreen
wisctapp · 1983 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 1999–1999
2 sentences

1999See Sweet v. Berge, 113 Wis. 2d 61, 67 , 334 N.W.2d 559, 562 (Ct. App. 1983). 13 The absent witness instruction, WlS J I — CIVIL 410, provides: *287 If a party fails to call a material witness within its control, or whom it would be more natural for that party to call than the opposing party, and the party fails to give a satisfactory explanation for not calling the witness, then you may infer that the evidence which the witness would give would be unfavorable to the party who failed to call the witness. 14 In an action against an employer to collect on a wage claim, the court may award an emp

1999See Sweet v. Berge, 113 Wis. 2d 61, 67 , 334 N.W.2d 559, 562 (Ct. App. 1983). 13 The absent witness instruction, WlS J I — CIVIL 410, provides: *287 If a party fails to call a material witness within its control, or whom it would be more natural for that party to call than the opposing party, and the party fails to give a satisfactory explanation for not calling the witness, then you may infer that the evidence which the witness would give would be unfavorable to the party who failed to call the witness. 14 In an action against an employer to collect on a wage claim, the court may award an emp

11
Bode v. Buchmangreen
wis · 1975 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 1996–1996
2 sentences

1996Completing this argument, Monarch cites Bode v. Buchman, 68 Wis. 2d 276 , 228 N.W.2d 718 (1975), and proposes that "[t]he availability of Gallet's testimony, of itself, mandated the trial court's denial of [DeChant's] request for the absent-witness instruction." We disagree.

1996Completing this argument, Monarch cites Bode v. Buchman, 68 Wis. 2d 276 , 228 N.W.2d 718 (1975), and proposes that "[t]he availability of Gallet's testimony, of itself, mandated the trial court's denial of [DeChant's] request for the absent-witness instruction." We disagree.

11
Roeske v. Diefenbachgreen
wis · 1977 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995Roeske v. Diefenbach, 75 Wis. 2d 253, 262 , 249 N.W.2d 555, 560 (1977).

1995Roeske v. Diefenbach, 75 Wis. 2d 253, 262 , 249 N.W.2d 555, 560 (1977).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Wisconsin. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (5)

CaseCitedYears
Capello v. Janeczko green
wis · 1970
2 sentences

2014Capello v. Janeczko, 47 Wis. 2d 76, 84-85 , 176 N.W.2d 395 (1970). 3.

2014Capello v. Janeczko, 47 Wis. 2d 76, 84-85 , 176 N.W.2d 395 (1970). 3.

21972–2014
Thoreson v. Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Corp. green
wis · 1972
2 sentences

1975In Thoreson v. Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Corp. (1972), 56 Wis. 2d 281 , 201 N. W. 2d 745 , this court held that the absent-witness instruction was erroneously given where it was meant to refer to an unrelated passenger in a bus in an action where the defendant bus company did not call the passenger.

1975The criteria for the use of the absent witness instruction (Wis J I — Civil, Part I, 410) are set forth in Thoreson v. Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Corp. (1972), 56 Wis. 2d 231, 237 , 201 N. W. 2d 745 : *200 “The [absent witness] instruction may properly be given when a witness is not called if the witness is material and within the control of the party against whom the instruction is to be given or when it would be more natural for that party to call the witness.” In the instant case, the trial judge properly concluded that Polzin, as the employee of Gasser, was available to be called, in t

21975–1975
DeChant v. Monarch Life Insurance green
wisctapp · 1996
2 sentences

2014Co., 204 Wis. 2d 137, 148 , 554 N.W.2d 225 (Ct. App. 1996).

2014Co., 204 Wis. 2d 137, 148 , 554 N.W.2d 225 (Ct. App. 1996).

12014–2014
Shaw v. Wuttke green
wis · 1965
2 sentences

1976Shaw v. Wuttke (1965), 28 Wis. 2d 448, 459 , 137 N. W. 2d 649 .

1976Shaw v. Wuttke (1965), 28 Wis. 2d 448, 459 , 137 N. W. 2d 649 .

11976–1976
Wurtzler v. Miller green
wis · 1966
1 sentence

1967This court has stated: “Where the action is grounded on sec. 174.02 the negligence of the defendant dog owner is established when it is proved he kept a mischievous or vicious dog without proving that he knew the dog had such propensities.” Wurtzler v. Miller (1966), 31 Wis. (2d) 310, 318, 143 N. W. (2d) 27 .

11967–1967

Where else courts name it

WI 9 (1967–2014) LA 3 (1987–2010) MA 2 (2001–2018) TX 2 (2009–2010) WA 2 (1979–2021)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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