McGinnis v. Phillips

This is an action for slander. There was a verdict and judgment in favor of plaintiff in the sum of $500 actual and $500 punitive damages. However, the court sustained defendant’s motion for a new trial and plaintiff has appealed.

The facts show that defendant owned a farm in Jackson County, Missouri, near Buckner where he resided. In the spring of 1922 defendant employed plaintiff’s husband George R. McGinnis, as a farm hand and McGinnis worked for defendant, residing on the latter’s farm, until about the month of September, 1925. In the summer of 1925 a disagreement arose between McGinnis…