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Michael Connell and Tonia Connell, individually, and as parents and next friends of their minor son, Paul Connell; and Paul Connell. v. Downtown Grill, Inc.

Date: 10-17-1998

Case Number: 96-CA-01346-SCT

Judge: R. Kenneth Coleman

Court: Circuit Court, Lafayette County, Mississippi

Plaintiff's Attorney: Michael T. Lewis and Pauline Shuler Lewis, Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Defendant's Attorney: Ronald Henry Pierce and S.T. Rayburn of the Rayburn Law Fimr, P.L.L.C., Oxford, Mississippi.

Description:

Paul Connell, a student at Ole Miss at Oxford, and his parents, sued The Downtown Grill, after an employee of the Grill mistakenly identified Paul as the passer of a forged check. Plaintiffs brought action for libel and slander, malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gross negligence arising out of the arrest.

Outcome:

Jury returned a verdict for plaintiffs and against the grill for $40,000 in actual damages. The grill motion JNOVA was denied.

Plaintiff's Experts:

None

Defendant's Experts:

None

Comments:

The Downtown Grill appealed. The Supreme Court of Mississippi reversed the trial court and rendered 4-to-3. See 721 So.2nd 1113 (Miss. 1998). The date shown above is the date of the appellate court decision and not the trial date. Note: Mr. Pierce is no longer a member of the Rayburn Law Firm.

About This Case

What was the outcome of Michael Connell and Tonia Connell, individually, and as p...?

The outcome was: Jury returned a verdict for plaintiffs and against the grill for $40,000 in actual damages. The grill motion JNOVA was denied.

Which court heard Michael Connell and Tonia Connell, individually, and as p...?

This case was heard in Circuit Court, Lafayette County, Mississippi, MS. The presiding judge was R. Kenneth Coleman.

Who were the attorneys in Michael Connell and Tonia Connell, individually, and as p...?

Plaintiff's attorney: Michael T. Lewis and Pauline Shuler Lewis, Clarksdale, Mississippi.. Defendant's attorney: Ronald Henry Pierce and S.T. Rayburn of the Rayburn Law Fimr, P.L.L.C., Oxford, Mississippi..

When was Michael Connell and Tonia Connell, individually, and as p... decided?

This case was decided on October 17, 1998.