Richards v. Crocker

On the evening of June 21, 1963 the plaintiff, along with her friends the defendant’s brother and his wife, were social guests at the defendant’s home in Keene, New Hampshire. As the defendant’s brother was leaving, the plaintiff followed him to the exit door in a small hallway or foyer in which there was a stairwell leading to the basement. The defendant followed the plaintiff. The hallway was unlighted although some light reflected to the hallway from the kitchen lights. As the defendant said that he would put on the lights he passed the plaintiff who stepped back because she “felt [she]…