Shapiro v. Equitable Life Assurance Society of United States

Majority

p. 743

Joseph Shapiro, Respondent, v. Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, Appellant.

Argued February 20, 1945;

decided April 12, 1945.

p. 744

Eugene T. O’Neill and Leo D. Fitzgerald for appellant.

Sidney J. Loeb for respondent.

Order affirmed, with costs. Question certified answered in the negative. No opinion.

Concur: Lehman, Ch. J., Loughran, Desmond and Thacher, JJ. Lewis and Conway, JJ., dissent on the ground that the plaintiff who was serving a life sentence was “ civilly dead ” and did not have the legal capacity to sue. (Penal Law, § 511; Matter of Pallas, 291 N. Y. 692 ; Matter of Lindewall, 287 N. Y. 347 ; Green v. State of New York, 278 N. Y. 15 ; Avery v. Everett, 110 N. Y. 317 .) Taking no part: Dye, J.

Cases cited

Pallas v. Misericordia Hospital 291 N. Y. 692 N.Y. 1943-11-18 p. 744
In re the Will of Lindewall 287 N. Y. 347 N.Y. 1942-01-15 p. 744
Green v. State 278 N. Y. 15 N.Y. 1938-04-13 p. 744
Avery v. Everett 110 N. Y. 317 N.Y. 1888-10-02 p. 744