Petrucelli v. Catapano

The complaint stated a cause of action for assault; the defendant filed a cross-complaint for slander; and the jury returned separate verdicts, finding for the plaintiff to recover $1 damages upon the complaint and for the defendant to recover $200 damages upon the cross-complaint. The plaintiff moved to set aside the verdicts and the appeal is from the trial court’s denial of that motion.

Plaintiff and defendant both run bakeries and are in competition. According to the defendant’s testimony, she sought an interview with the plaintiff in an effort to arrive at an amicable understanding, such…