Opinion
No. 46,478
Opinion filed July 19, 1972.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
APPEAL AND ERROR — Divided Court — Affirmance. Where one of the justices is disqualified to participate in a decision of the issues raised on appeal, and the remaining six justices are equally divided as to the proper disposition of the appeal, the judgment of the trial court must stand.
Appeal from Crawford district court; DON MUSSER, judge. Opinion filed July 19, 1972. Affirmed.
Jack L. Lively, of the firm of Becker, Hildreth and Lively, of Coffeyville, argued the cause and was on the brief for the appellant.
Robert J. Fleming, of the firm of Weir, Angwin Towner, of Pittsburg, argued the cause and was on the brief for the appellee.
This action stems from a motor vehicle collision occurring in Pittsburg, Kansas. The plaintiff recovered judgment against the defendant and the latter has appealed.
No useful purpose would be served by setting forth the various contentions raised on appeal. It is sufficient to say that one of the members of this court is disqualified to participate in the appeal because of his prior connection with the case, and the remaining six members are equally divided as to how the appeal should be decided.
Article 3, § 2( a) of the Kansas Constitution provides that the concurrence of four justices is necessary to a decision, and the rule is that when one justice is disqualified to participate in a decision, and the remaining six justices are equally divided in their conclusions, the decision of the trial court must stand. ( Ward v. Davis, 177 Kan. 629, 281 P.2d 1084; Scott v. Harber, 187 Kan. 542, 358 P.2d 723; and Fink v. City of Topeka, 208 Kan. 805, 494 P.2d 411).
The judgment is affirmed.
OWSLEY, J., not participating.