Leta v. Erhardt v. George Robert Leonard

George Leonard appeals from a judgment awarded against him for compensatory and punitive damages. The judgment resulted from a claim that he wrongfully had converted to his own use money on deposit in a joint savings account in a local bank, which account appeared in his name and the name of his grandmother, Leta V. Erhardt. We are presented with several issues on this appeal. Did the grandson have a right of ownership in the joint account that entitled him to withdraw the funds at his convenience and without the permission of his grandmother? After he withdrew the funds, was the grandmother entitled to reimbursement in full from the grandson or did the withdrawal terminate her right to the funds? Did the grandson's behavior warrant a judgment of punitive damages against him? Did the trial court err in making certain evidentiary rulings at trial? Should attorney fees be awarded on appeal to either party?