Paul A. Wetzel v. Gulf Oil Corporation, a Pennsylvania Corporation

EUGENE A. WRIGHT, Circuit Judge:

Appellant Wetzel brought this action against the Gulf Oil Corporation in the Superior Court of Arizona for Maricopa County. He alleged intentional tort, breach of warranty, negligence, and defamation. He sought compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $55,000.

Defendant removed to the district court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1441. The case was tried to a jury. At the conclusion of the evidence, the district judge directed a verdict for the defendant on the ground that plaintiff had failed to present evidence sufficient to sustain a favorable verdict. Wetzel…