Opinion ID: 1610222
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether the circuit court erred in granting a directed verdict in favor of singletary on the issue of punitive damages.

Text: ¶ 17. Tillman appealed the directed verdict on the issue of punitive damages insofar as Singletary was concerned. The basis for punitive damages is the testimony of a single witness that Singletary was staggering and red-eyed and appeared drunk after the accident. On cross-examination, however, this witness said that she got no closer than thirty-five feet to Singletary. Powe and Singletary testified that Singletary had consumed a minimal amount of alcohol, and later witnesses offered substantiation during the presentation of defendants' case. ¶ 18. Punitive damages may be recovered for willful and intentional wrong and for such gross and reckless negligence as is equivalent to willful wrong. A trial court's decision not to send punitive damages to the jury will only be reversed upon a finding of an abuse of discretion. Hurst v. Southwest Miss. Legal Servs. Corp., 708 So.2d 1347, 1351 (Miss.1998). The circuit court did not abuse its discretion in directing a verdict for Singletary on the issue of punitive damages.