Johnson v. Murray

Daniel S. Murray appeals from a judgment by default entered against him in the Fifteenth Judicial District Court, Roosevelt County, awarding general damages of $100,000, punitive damages of $100,000, attorney fees of $1,500 and costs in favor of the plaintiffs Ron and Marilee Johnson. We affirm.

Murray raises two issues: (1) that he was deprived of due process in the entry of his default and the granting of the default judgment, and (2) that the damages awarded are *498excessive.

On September 3, 1980, highway patrolman Duane Bratland, an officer under the supervision of plaintiff Ron Johnson,…