Opinion ID: 2088237
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Finally, we address the defendants' contention that there is insufficient evidence to sustain a finding that Ladner made the statements with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard of their truth or falsity. We will not disturb a jury verdict that is supported by any credible evidence if the jury could rationally reach the result it did. Inniss v. Methot Buick-Opel, Inc., 506 A.2d 212, 218 (Me. 1986). A. True was more concerned with living up to the terms of his contract rather than going the extra mile. Evidence presented at trial showed an extensive participation by True in curricular and extracurricular activities within the high school and the Lisbon school system. In a letter Ladner warmly praised True for his voluntarily assumed role in the study of the mathematics curriculum in the elementary grades. There is ample evidence to support a finding of the falsity of the statement in question and Ladner's reckless disregard of its falsity. B. True was not a good mathematics teacher, and Ladner did not feel [True] turned the students on. The continued employment of True at Lisbon High School until his voluntary resignation and the testimony of principal Cunningham, guidance counselor Bradford, and parent and teacher Higgins tend to establish the falsity of these statements, as do many of the specific observations in Cunningham's written evaluations. The jury could infer that Ladner acted in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the statements on the following facts: the continued employment of True, Ladner's recommending to Harrison that Harrison employ True's former student, the lack of any observation of True's classroom teaching by Ladner, the lack of any written evaluations after True's two-year probationary period and Ladner's apparent failure to review the evaluations at any time after his initial reading of them. We hold therefore that on these facts there is no reason to disturb the jury's findings. The entry is: Judgment affirmed. All concurring.