Charles Crump, Sr. v. P & C Food Markets, Inc.

Summary

The court affirmed jury verdicts awarding compensatory and punitive damages for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It held that the defendant's late renewal of its directed-verdict motion did not waive its sufficiency challenges, and that the evidence supported findings of defamatory publication, malice overcoming a conditional privilege, outrageous conduct, severe distress, and actual harm. The court also upheld the denial of a new trial because the verdict and damages were supported by the evidence and were not excessive.