Rich by and Through Brown v. Nevels

I. INTRODUCTION

A

This negligence case involves primarily the issue of whether the trial judge abused his discretion in denying a motion to set aside a default judgment. This Court affirms — with the exception of the damages award of $180,000. The award is vacated and the issue remanded because the record is devoid of evidentiary support.

B

On October 16, 1984, an individual burglarized a boarding house1 in Jackson and violently attacked one of the elderly residents, Bobbie Nevels. On July 16, 1987, Nevels filed a complaint in the Hinds County Circuit Court against the owner of the house, Wilma…