The Bedford Gazette

Important Decision.

An important decision has just been rendered by the New York Court of Appeals between the American Mutual Life Insurance Company and the widow of an assured party. The payment of the insurance was refused on the ground that her husband had invalidated his policy by committing suicide. This Company also attempted to prove that the insured man was an atheist or infidel, and therefore that the suicide was intentional, the deceased not having the fear of God before him: but the court ruled out this as irrelevant, and held that in an action to recover for an insurance upon the life of the deceased, it is not competent to inquire into his religious faith with a view of influencing the question whether, in such case, death was occasioned by an intent of self-destruction or of accident. The Court of Appeals therefore affirmed the judgment of the lower court by giving judgment for the respondent; thus virtually establishing the principle that a life insurance policy is not of necessity invalidated by the suicide of the insured person.