Zickgraf Hardwood Co. v. Seay

Plaintiff, William L. Gray, brought this action against defendant, Wallace Neil Hoover, seeking compensatory and punitive damages for alienation of affections and criminal conversation. Plaintiff was the only witness to testify at trial. At the close of plaintiffs evidence, the trial court granted defendants motion for a directed verdict as to the alienation of affections claim. The criminal conversation issue was submitted to the jury and the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $30,000 in compensatory damages and $10,000 in punitive damages. The trial court granted defendants motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and ordered the verdict and judgment for plaintiff set aside and judgment entered for defendant. Plaintiff appeals.