Opinion ID: 791618
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether Appellees' Actions were Motivated by Meyers's Speech

Text: 9 Meyers argues that our holding in the prior appeal determined that appellees' actions were motivated by her speech on a matter of public concern that outweighed NHHS's interests. Meyers further argues that this holding was not challenged in the first appeal and cannot be challenged in this appeal. Whether Meyers's speech was protected is a question of law. Lewis v. Harrison Sch. Dist. No. 1, 805 F.2d 310, 313 (8th Cir.1986). We have already held that Meyers's speech was protected. Meyers, 324 F.3d at 659. The magistrate judge permitted the factual issue of causation—whether appellees' actions were motivated by Meyers's speech—to go to the jury. The jury deadlocked. The magistrate judge refused to grant either party's Rule 50(b) motion on this fact issue. The magistrate did not err.