Arkansas State Highway Commission v. Leavell

Lyle Brown, Justice.

This action in eminent domain was brought by the Highway Commission to acquire lands needed for the relocation of Highway 9, necessitated by the construction of a new bridge across the Arkansas River near Morrilton. The jury awarded Emma Stallings Leavell $28,000. The Commission asserts error in that the trial court denied its motion for a change of venue and alleges alternatively that there is no substantial evidence to support the verdict.

The landowner had a tract consisting of 151 acres. The land is situated near the bank of the Arkansas River, slightly under two miles…