Overman v. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.

SOMERVILLE, Judge.

Charles E. Overman and Bennett Massey, d/b/a AAA Plumbing Co. (hereinafter Overman and Massey), pursuant to § 392.-350, RSMo 1978,1 filed suit against Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (hereinafter Bell) for compensatory damages (Count I), punitive damages (Count II), and attorney’s fees (Count III). All three counts were posited on Bell’s exclusion of “AAA Plumbing Co.” from its Greater Kansas City “Yellow” and “White” pages directories, and directory assistance, during the years 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977.

A lengthy jury trial ensued. Bell’s motion for a directed verdict…