Wyant v. Anstett

This is an action to recover damages for an assault and battery alleged to have been committed upon the plaintiff at about 1 a. m. on the morning of August 18, 1945, in a tavern in the Bantam section of the town of Litchfield. The defendant Anstett was the owner and operator of the tavern and at the time in question the defendant Groop was acting as his bartender.

Most of the witnesses on both sides tell stories which in part at least are incredible. Putting together the bits of testimony which I accept as true and rejecting the balance, I find the following facts.

This tavern is located in a…