Riggs v. Palmer
Court of Appeals of New York
115 N.Y. 506 (1889)
Relevant factsFree
Francis Palmer's 1880 will divided his estate among his daughters, Mrs. Riggs and Mrs. Preston (plaintiffs), and his grandson, Elmer Palmer (defendant), who knew the will's terms. In 1882, Elmer poisoned his grandfather to death and was convicted of murder. Riggs and Preston sued to void the portions of the will benefiting Elmer, arguing his crime should forfeit his inheritance; the trial court dismissed their suit, and they appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a court may depart from a statute's literal text to avoid an absurd result.