Poulston v. Rock

In this defamation action, we consider whether the trial court abused its discretion in determining that a jury verdict for compensatory and punitive damages was excessive and requiring a plaintiff to remit part of the verdict amount and accept judgment for the reduced sum.

Charles B. Poulston, Jr. and Bobby Rock were acquaintances and shared an interest in custom built motorcycles. In January 1993, Poulston obtained a judgment against Rock for negligently painting Poulston’s motorcycle. Rock failed to pay the amount of the judgment and Poulston instituted garnishment proceedings. When Rock…