Spiers v. Sydnor

OPINION

Richmond County, Virginia Sheriff Gene E. Sydnor appeals the denial of his motions for judgment as a matter of law on Robert F. Spiers’ claims for false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Sheriff Sydnor challenges primarily the sufficiency of the evidence regarding each claim. We affirm in part and reverse in part.

I

The evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to Spiers, reveals the following. On October 11, 1997, Spiers, who was employed as the director of the Lancaster High School marching band, was leading the band in a parade through Warsaw, Virginia.…