Harris v. Thornton's Department Store

FUNDERBURK, Justice.

This is a suit by Jack Harris against Thornton’s Department Store to recover damages, actual and exemplary, for alleged slander, assault, and false imprisonment. It was alleged that after plaintiff had purchased some meat and butter at defendant’s store and had proceeded some distance from the store, Welch, defendant’s manager, overtook him and asked in the presence and hearing of numerous persons: “Why didn’t you pay for that merchandise you got in the store?” That after plaintiff’s assertion that he had paid for it, Welch replied: “No you did not. You are going back to…