Home ANDREA A. GARDNER vs. STEVEN F. GARDNER.

9 Mass. App. Ct. 899

April 15, 1980

We are again asked to set aside a division of property ordered within a judgment for divorce nisi. The record demonstrates "beyond doubt that the judge considered all the factors set forth" in G. L. c. 208, Section 34. Furthermore, his findings are supported by the evidence. The judge has broad discretion in fashioning a judgment under Section 34. See Bianco v. Bianco, 371 Mass. 420, 423 (1976). See also Putnam v. Putnam, 5 Mass. App. Ct. 10, 14 (1977), S.C., 7 Mass. App. Ct. 672 (1979).

Judgment affirmed.

Home STEPHEN F. DONOGHUE vs. HOLYOKE TRANSCRIPT -- TELEGRAM PUBLISHING CO., INC.

9 Mass. App. Ct. 899

April 16, 1980

At the conclusion of the judge's charge to the jury in this libel action, the plaintiff requested certain amplifying instructions to the effect (in summary) that printed words are actionable if they tend to prejudice the plaintiff in connection with his profession, trade or occupation. Lyman v. New England Newspaper Publishing Co., 286 Mass. 258, 261 (1934). Lynch v. Lyons, 303 Mass. 116, 118-119 (1939) (slander). Restatement (Second) of Torts Section 573 & Comment c (1977). The judge thereupon gave the substance of the additional charge requested. The plaintiff's appeal is nothing more than a cavil that the judge did not give the requested instructions verbatim. A judge is under

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no obligation to do so. Narkin v. Springfield, 5 Mass. App. Ct. 489, 492 (1977). Indeed, the better practice is not to read requests word for word to the jury, but to restate them in language easily understood by people of ordinary intelligence. Herrick v. Waitt, 224 Mass. 415, 416 (1916). The judge responded to a request for specific instructions "in a manner which substantially covers the particular point in question." Varelakis v. Etterman, 4 Mass. App. Ct. 841, 842 (1976). Looked at as a whole, inclusive of all of the supplementary instructions, the charge to the jury was a clear and accurate statement of the law. Wilson v. Boston Redev. Authy., 366 Mass. 588, 591-592 (1975), S.C., 371 Mass. 841 (1977). Finally, the elements of the charge about which the plaintiff objects spoke to the issue of liability. Since the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff (albeit a humble one), the plaintiff suffered no harm from the charge, even were one to assume that it was faulty. See Taub v. United States Trust Co., 303 Mass. 339, 342 (1939).

Judgment affirmed.