Macke Laundry Serv. Ltd. v. Mission Assocs

This appeal involves a tortious interference with a contractual
expectancy claim brought by Macke Laundry Service Limited
Partnership (Macke). Macke contends Jetz Service Company, Inc.,
(Jetz) tortiously interfered with its contractual expectancy with
Mission Associates, Ltd., d/b/a Heritage Hills Apartments
(Heritage Hills). Originally, Macke's action included a claim
against Heritage Hills for breach of contract; however, this
claim was stayed as a result of Heritage Hills' bankruptcy. The
jury found in favor of Macke, and the trial court entered
judgment accordingly. Jetz appeals, arguing the trial court erred
in granting Macke's partial summary judgment motion, in denying
its motion for directed verdict on Macke's tortious interference
claim, in certain of its evidentiary rulings, and in awarding
Macke punitive damages. Our resolution on Jetz' first claimed
error makes a detailed recitation of the facts unnecessary.
Accordingly, we will only recite the facts necessary to present
our decision. On October 19, 1982, Heritage Hills entered into an agreement
with Laundry Equipment Services, Inc., for use of laundry space
and equipment at the apartment complex. Sometime before the
events causing this action, Macke acquired the rights to this
agreement by purchasing Laundry Equipment Services, Inc.