Hardy v. LaBelle's Distributing Co.

Plaintiff, Debra Jo Hardy, brought this action against defendants for false imprisonment. The District Court of the Thirteenth Judicial District, Yellowstone County, issued judgment after a jury verdict in favor of defendants and plaintiff appeals.

Defendant, LaBelle’s Distributing Company (LaBelle’s), hired Hardy as a temporary employee on December 1, 1978. She was assigned duty as a sales clerk in the jewelry department.

On December 9, 1978, another employee for LaBelle’s, Jackie Renner, thought she saw Hardy steal one of the watches that LaBelle’s had in stock. Jackie Renner reported her…