Romano v. United Buckingham Freight Lines

This is a defamation action. The jury awarded $8,750 each to plaintiffs, Frank Romano and John B. Mc-Mackin against defendant, United Buckingham Freight Lines. A motion for new trial or judgment n.o.v. was denied; judgment was entered on the verdict. Defendant appeals.

Plaintiffs had been truck drivers for defendant and its predecessor, United Truck Lines, for 15 years. They worked as a sleeper team on long hauls for about a year prior to April, 1967. On April 3, 1967, plaintiffs made a trip from Spokane to Omaha, returning on April 7. On their return to Spokane, a customer in Seattle…