Hepworth v. Covey Bros. Amusement Co.

PRATT, Justice.

James Hepworth was a paid guest at a public dance. The ballroom was owned and operated by the Covey Brothers Amusement Company. Hepworth sued the Company for damages arising out of false imprisonment. He recovered a verdict of $1,000. On motion for a new trial the lower court gave him the choice of accepting a $500 judgment, or submitting to the new trial. He accepted the $500 judgment. The Amusement Company has appealed. There is substantial evidence in the case to support the following:

At the dance, Hepworth met two friends, Abel and Peck, the latter a minor. While they were…