Noel v. Roberts

LAURANCE M. HYDE, Special Commissioner.

Action for damages for personal injuries, alleged to have been caused by an assault by defendant. Plaintiff had verdict for $10,000 actual damages and $6,000 punitive damages. Defendant’s motion for new trial was sustained on two grounds, namely: the $6,000 verdict for punitive damages “was excessive by virtue of bias and prejudice on the part of the jury”; and error in refusing to admit into evidence a letter from plaintiff’s counsel to defendant. Plaintiff has appealed from the order for a new trial.

Plaintiff had repairs made to his automobile at…