Case Name: Rita Rose, Respondent, v. James Montgomery, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1925-05
Citations: 214 A.D. 738
Docket Number: 
Parties: Rita Rose, Respondent, v. James Montgomery, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 214
Pages: 738–738

Head Matter:
Rita Rose, Respondent, v. James Montgomery, Appellant.

Opinion:
Judgment and order reversed on the law and a new trial granted, with costs to abide the event. The learned trial court erred in its charge to the jury relating to punitive damages. (Distin v. Rose, 69 N. Y. 122; Willard v. Press Publishing Co., 52 App. Div. 448.) There was error also in the charge that the jury might consider the justification pleaded by way of defense in determining whether the defendant uttered the slander. In view of the closeness of the issue on the question of fact, we do not think these errors can be overlooked. Kelly, P. J., Jaycox, Kelby, Young and Kapper, JJ., concur.