DEPT. OF PUB. WORKS & BLDGS. v. Sun Oil Co.

Kenneth J. Johnson, Mary Johnson, Clayton Johnson and Maxine Johnson appeal from a judgment entered on a jury verdict for *28,500 in compensation for the taking of 1.07 acres and zero damages to the remainder, 1.93 acres.

The defendants contend that they were denied a fair trial: (1) by the State’s violation of the court’s order in limine to refrain from referring to Kenneth Johnson’s letter of negotiation sent to the State until further order of the court; (2) by the State commenting in closing argument that the jurors, as taxpayers, would ultimately pay the judgment; and (3) by the court giving…