Kincaid v. Ames Department Stores, Inc.

Plaintiff, Shirley Kincaid, sued her employer, Ames Department Stores (Ames), and two of Ames’ security officers, Jerald Smith and Santos Cruz, for false arrest and malicious prosecution. A jury found for plaintiff on both counts, awarding compensatory damages of $75,700 against all defendants and punitive damages of $750 against Santos, $1,750 against Smith, and $250,000 against Ames. The trial court granted defendants’ motion to reduce compensatory damages to $61,850, and defendants appeal from the denial of their motions for judgment n.o.v. or a new trial. Plaintiff cross-appeals the…