People on rel. Peck v. Board of Police

In the case of Hanrahan we held that it was competent for the jury, on the trial of issues in mandamus cases, to find a general verdict, and the court will give effect to it, if necessary, by applying it to the issues separately.

If we are right in thus holding, the verdict in these cases is a valid one. And as no question arises on the effect of the evidence on the proceedings on the trial, there is enough in the papers before us to enable the court to dispose of the question arising on this appeal.

The fact that the court directed the jury to render the verdict, we must presume, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to have been rightly done. Where there is no conflicting evidence upon an issue before a jury, or the weight of evidence is so decidedly in favor of one side that the court would set aside the verdict as against the evidence if rendered, it is the duty of the judge to direct the jury what verdict to render; and there is no statute or practice, nor any thing in the nature of the proceeding by mandamus, which takes away from the court the right in such cases to direct a verdict.

But as a majority of the court has held that a finding in favor of the defendants of the several issues sent to the jury in these cases for trial, does not bar the relator from having a peremptory writ, we must give effect to that decision in this case by reversing the order of the special term, and ordering the issuing of a peremptory writ. Motion granted.