Pedersen v. Daly

Jerome Daly appeals from a default judgment entered pursuant to a jury verdict awarding Paul R. Pedersen general damages of $1,000 and punitive damages of $7,500. Pedersen’s claim was based upon malicious prosecution. We affirm.

Pedersen, a Bloomington police officer, was sued by Daly in two separate actions in Federal Court, based on Pedersen’s performance of his duties as a police officer in assisting in the arrest of Daly and in arresting Daly. Both actions were dismissed. Pedersen was alleged to have physically abused Daly, and newspapers published the fact of the suits and the allegations…