Hankinson v. Rackley

Pope, Judge.

Plaintiff/appellee brought this action in trover (conversion) against defendant/appellant alleging defendant’s wrongful conversion of certain objets d’art belonging to plaintiff. Plaintiff sought recovery in two counts of actual and punitive damages and attorney fees. Defendant brings this appeal from a jury verdict and judgment against him for $1,000 actual damages, $50,000 punitive damages, and $3,500 expenses of litigation and attorney fees.

The evidence of record shows that plaintiff’s residence was burglarized on March 5, 1981. At that time over 200 antique porcelain and glass…