ABDULMAHDI ALKHALIDI V. HON . GEOFFREY MORRIS, JUDGE, JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT AND ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
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IMPORI 'ANT NOTICE
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OPINION
THIS OPINIONIS DESIGNA TED "NOT TO BE
PUBLISHED. " PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF
CIVIL PROCED URE PROMUL GA TED BY THE
SUPREME COURT, CR 76.28 (4) (c), THIS OPINION
IS NOT TO BE PUBLISHED AND SHALL NOT BE
CITED OR USED AS A UTHORITYIN ANY OTHER
CASE INANY COUR T OF THIS S TA TE.
RENDERED : NOVEMBER 18, 2004
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
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2004-SC-0176-MR
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ABDULMAHDI ALKHALIDI
V.
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APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM COURT OF APPEALS
2003-CA-2538-OA
JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT NO. 2002-CI-1121
HON . GEOFFREY MORRIS, JUDGE,
JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
APPELLEE
AND
ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
REAL PARTY IN INTEREST
MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT
AFFIRMING
Appellant, Abdulmahdi Alkhalidi, appeals as a matter of right from an order of the
Court of Appeals denying petitions for a writ of mandamus and a writ of prohibition . For
the reasons set forth below, we affirm .
This appeal arises from a jury verdict returned in a personal injury suit involving
an automobile accident . After the Jefferson County jury returned its verdict awarding
damages for lost wages and pain and suffering, members of the law firm representing
the defendant, Allstate Insurance Company, entered the jury room and removed
twenty-four slips of paper. Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Ann Shake accompanied the
members of the Allstate team into the jury room . Pursuant to instructions received by
Judge Morris, the presiding trial judge, Judge Shake placed the slips of paper into a
sealed envelope and later filed it with the court.
A judgment consistent with the verdict was entered a week later. Shortly
thereafter, Allstate filed a motion for a new trial pursuant to CR 59 claiming juror
misconduct. A hearing was held, at which Judge Morris revealed that he had spoken
with members of the jury following the verdict and had inquired as to how they had
reached the verdict. The discussion with the jury led Judge Morris to believe that it had
entered into a quotient verdict, a conclusion that was documented in part by the slips of
paper retrieved in the jury deliberation room . The motion for a new trial was granted .
Subsequently, the plaintiff, Alkhalidi, filed a motion to reinstate the previous
judgment, which was denied . Alkhalidi then filed an original action with the Court of
Appeals seeking a writ of mandamus and a writ of prohibition, requesting that Judge
Morris be ordered to reinstate the original judgment . The Court of Appeals denied
Alkhalidi's requests .
A writ of prohibition or mandamus is an extraordinary remedy and should be
granted only in exceptional circumstances. James v. Shadoan , Ky., 58 S .W .3d 884,
885 (2001). The party seeking relief must first show that he or she has no adequate
remedy by appeal or otherwise . In addition, that party must show that either the court
below is acting outside of its jurisdiction or that he or she will suffer great, irreparable
injury if the relief is not granted . Id .
Here, Alkhalidi has failed to demonstrate that no adequate means of redress by
appeal exist. A trial court holds broad discretion in granting a new trial, and whether
that discretion was abused in this case is an issue that can adequately be appealed
once a final judgment in the matter is rendered . See Shelby County Bd. of Ed . v.
Wright, Ky., 390 S .W.2d 654, 655-56 (1965) . Thus, we need not consider Alkhalidi's
arguments that the trial court acted outside of its jurisdiction, or that the trial court's
actions will cause irreparable harm if relief is not granted .
For the reasons set forth above, the decision of the Court of Appeals is affirmed .
All concur.
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT :
J . Andrew White
734 South First Street
Louisville, KY 40202
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE :
Hon . Geoffrey P. Morris, Judge
Jefferson Circuit Court
Jefferson County Judicial Center, 9th Floor
700 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
COUNSEL FOR REAL PARTY IN INTEREST :
Robert John Rosing
EWEN, KINNEY & ROSING
1090 Starks Building
455 South Fourth Avenue
Louisville, KY 40202
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