Joyce v. Nash

SHANGLER, Presiding Judge.

The plaintiffs Joyce, husband and wife, had judgment for damages against Nash, doing business as Thunderbird Trailer Sales, etc., on a theory that the defendant negligently locked them in the business compound after regular hours so that they were assailed by guard dogs unleashed by the defendant. The petition was for actual and punitive damages. The jury returned compensatory awards of $3,000 for the husband and $7,000 for the wife, but no exemplary damages. The litigants cross-appeal.

The plaintiffs contend the refusal to submit punitive damages by the instructions…