Evans v. Liguori

In 1968, the plaintiff, on behalf of herself and her minor children, instituted a wrongful death action against the town of Westerly and five of its police officers. A Superior Court jury returned verdicts in favor of four of the officers and against the fifth officer, Captain Gabrielle, and the town. Each of the “against” verdicts was in the amount of $21,000. Before submitting the case to the jury, the trial justice had reserved his decision on the defendants’ motions for a directed verdict. Once the jury had returned its verdicts, the trial justice granted the motions for a directed…