Clay v. Lagiss

WOOD (Fred B.), J.

In this action for damages for slander, judgment awarding $4,500 compensatory damages and $500 punitive damages was rendered in favor of plaintiff against defendant Anthony G. Lagiss.(1) Defendant claims Tie was prevented from having a fair trial by the asserted prejudicial misconduct of plaintiff’s counsel in referring to other controversies involving the defendant.

In his opening statement to the jury, plaintiff’s counsel said he would prove that the defendant’s slanderous remarks were motivated by his desire to make an illegal profit by persuading certain buyers of land to…