Alkire v. First National Bank of Parsons

RECHT, Justice.

The plaintiff, Larry E. Alkire, appeals an order of the Circuit Court of Tucker County, which vacated a jury verdict awarding him $1,050,000.00 in punitive damages. We find reversible error in the trial court’s vacating that portion of the verdict that awarded punitive damages, and therefore, reverse that decision and remand this case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

I

THE FACTS

In 1986, Mr. Alkire, a resident of Tucker County and a recent high school graduate, was employed by Parsons Texaco, owned by Russell and Joyce Shahan. One of Mr. Al-kire’s duties was…