Wagner v. Caprock Beef Packers Co.

STEAKLEY, Justice.

The question before us is whether the record supports a jury finding that the manager of a meat packing plant was acting in the course and scope of his employment when he slandered a former employee. The trial court ruled that it did; the Court of Civil Appeals held that it did not. 531 S.W.2d 194. We agree with the Court of Civil Appeals.

The facts and procedural situation are these. Lewis Wagner, plaintiff below and Petitioner here, is a former employee of Caprock Beef Packers Company, a corporation engaged in the meat packing business. It has a plant located at Booker,…