Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Yarbrough

Kathleen Bell, Special Chief Justice.

On March 19, 1980, at the behest of Mr. Archie Caudle, Assistant Manager of the Wal-Mart Store, the Appellee was arrested for shoplifting. The Appellee was tried in the Municipal Court of Fort Smith and was acquitted for the charge. She then initiated an action for false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

At the conclusion of the Appellee’s case, the Appellant moved for summary judgment on the issue of punitive damages and for directed verdicts as to the issues of false arrest and intentional…