Opinion ID: 75566
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: This is an appeal from a $2 million jury verdict and award in favor of Plaintiff A. Griffin (“Griffin”) against the City of Opa-Locka (“the City”) and its former City Manager, Earnie Neal (“Neal”), stemming from Neal’s sexual harassment and assault against Griffin. Both the City and Neal appeal. Neal argues that the district court erred in denying his motion to bifurcate the trial against him and the City; that the district court committed reversible error in permitting expert testimony to bolster Griffin’s allegations that she was raped; and that the district court abused its discretion in denying Neal’s motion for a new trial due to emotional outbursts by Griffin and another witness in the presence of the jury. The City argues that the district court erred in denying the City’s Renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, Motion for New Trial, and its Motion for Remittitur. We review the district court’s rulings on the admissibility of evidence, mistrial, bifurcation, and requests for new trial for abuse of discretion. Alexander v. Fulton County, Georgia, 207 F.3d 1303, 1324-25 (11th Cir. 2000); Hicks v. Talbott Recovery Systems, Inc., 196 F.3d 1226, 1242 (11th Cir. 1999); Messer v. Kemp, 760 F.2d 1080, 1087 (11th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 1088, 106 S. Ct. 864 (1986). A trial court’s denial of a motion to remit is reviewed for clear abuse of discretion. Farley v. Nationwide Mutual Ins. Co., 197 F.3d 1322, 1335 (11th Cir. 1999). We review the 2 district court’s denial of the motion for judgment as a matter of law de novo, considering the evidence in the light most favorable to Griffin. If a reasonable jury could have found in favor of Griffin, we will affirm the trial court’s decision. Hicks, 196 F.3d at 1236. For the reasons set forth more fully below, we affirm the district court’s final judgment in favor of Griffin as against Defendant Neal on all claims. We reverse the district court’s judgment against the City only as to the City’s liability for the sexual assault against Griffin under § 1983. We affirm in all other respects.