Strebler v. Rixman

REINHARD, Judge.

Plaintiffs sued defendant for fraudulent misrepresentation in the sale of a boat. The case was tried, and the jury returned a verdict for plaintiffs in the amount of $6,000 actual damages and $3,000 punitive damages. The trial court set aside the punitive damages award, and remitted the actual damages to $4,995. Defendant appeals.

The evidence shows the following: On August 1, 1976, defendant via a St. Louis newspaper, advertised his 1963 Pacemaker thirty-foot cabin cruiser for sale. Plaintiffs saw the advertisement and contacted defendant. On the evening of August 4,1976,…