Case Name: Esther James, Respondent, v. Adam C. Powell, Jr., Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1964-02-06
Citations: 20 A.D.2d 689
Docket Number: 
Parties: Esther James, Respondent, v. Adam C. Powell, Jr., Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 20
Pages: 689–689

Head Matter:
(February 6, 1964)
Esther James, Respondent, v. Adam C. Powell, Jr., Appellant.

Opinion:
Judgment in favor of plaintiff unanimously reversed, on the law, on the facts and in the exercise of discretion, the verdict vacated and a new trial granted, with costs to defendant-appellant, unless plaintiff stipulates to accept, in lieu of the award by verdict, $11,590 as compensatory damages and $35,000 as punitive damages, in which event, the judgment is modified to that extent and as so modified, affirmed, with costs to defendant-appellant. In this libel action, it is evident that the jury verdict is grossly excessive in the award for punitive damages and that a verdict in excess of $35,000 for such damages is not warranted by the record. Settle order on notice. Concur — Botein, P. J., Breitel, Valente, McNally and Bastow, JJ.