Categories: Massachusetts Appellate Court Opinions

JONES v. RUSSELL, 349 Mass. 761 (1965)

208 N.E.2d 224

BARBARA E. JONES, individually and as administratrix,[1] vs. WILLIAM W. RUSSELL another.[2]

Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
June 3, 1965.

[1] Administratrix of the estate of Joseph Jones, an existing viable child.

[2] Nancy R. Roney, both as trustees of Wesley Realty Trust.

Exceptions overruled. On conflicting evidence as to who was the lessee under a written lease and from the failure of the defendant lessors, in whose custody the lease had been, to produce it at the trial, the jury could find, as testified, that the plaintiff’s mother-in-law was the lessee, to whom no notice to quit for nonpayment of rent had been given. They could also find that the plaintiff was

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an occupant of the premises with the lessee’s assent. The defendants thus owed her the duty of reasonable care in maintaining a common stairway. There was evidence of the defendants’ negligence. There was no error in denying the defendants’ motions for a directed verdict and for a new trial.

Daniel A. Canning for the defendants.

Frederick W. Harrington, Jr., for the plaintiff.

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