Murano v. Director of Public Works

This is a petition brought pursuant to the provisions of G. L. 1956, §37-6-18, for the assessment of damages resulting from a taking of land for highway purposes. The matter was heard by a justice of the superior court sitting with a jury, and a verdict was returned for the petitioner in the amount of $15,400, inclusive of an award of $2,400 for interest. The respondent moved thereafter for a new trial on the ground that the verdict was grossly excessive, and after a hearing on this motion the trial justice ordered a new trial unless the petitioner within five days filed a remittitur of all…