Weir v. Citicorp National Services, Inc.

Moore, Justice:

This is a libel action. The jury awarded Respondent James Weir $25,000.00 actual damages and $500,000.00 punitive damages. The trial judge granted a new trial nisi remittitur to $275,000.00 as to the punitive damages. We affirm.

FACTS

In August 1988, Weir, a real estate agent, discussed buying a van with Burdette Motors. Weir signed a motor vehicle sales installment contract and security agreement, a motor vehicle service contract, and a power of attorney all dated August 5, 1988, and a credit application dated August 1, 1988. Burdette Motors subsequently assigned the contract to…