Opinion ID: 1700246
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defendant Walsh. Defendant Walsh focuses upon three assignments of error in his petition for further review. We address these in turn.

Text: Walsh first contends that the trial verdict against him was rendered in violation of Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 203. Subsection (b) of rule 203 requires that the jury bring its finding into the courtroom to be read aloud. Alternatively, subsection (c) of rule 203 allows the jury verdict to be sealed and not brought into the courtroom if both parties agree. The record reveals that all of the courtrooms in the courthouse were occupied with other trials when the jury reached its verdict. Understanding that by agreement of counsel the verdict was to be rendered without counsel present, the trial judge entered the jury room, examined the verdict to ensure all questions were properly answered, and then delivered the unsealed verdict to the clerk. Nothing in the record indicates that the judge did anything to influence the jury's decision. We do not endorse the trial court's action. Upon review of the record, however, we are satisfied with the conclusion of the court of appeals that, while rule 203 may have been technically violated, the trial judge's reception of the verdict did not result in any prejudice to the defendant. Walsh next asserts that jury instruction number 22 concerning the defense of failing to read various documents before signing them did not present his theory of the case clearly and accurately to the jury. It was error, he maintains, to reject his proposed jury instruction in favor of that chosen by the trial court. The court of appeals carefully compared the instruction offered by defendants with instruction 22 as given to the jury. While the trial court used its own wording, see Knauss v. City of Des Moines, 357 N.W.2d 573, 577 (Iowa 1984), its instruction addressed the necessary issues. We agree with the portion of the court of appeals opinion which stated: Upon viewing the jury instructions as a whole, we conclude that Instruction No. 22 fairly informed the Jury as to plaintiff's duties regarding reliance and duty to investigate. We find nothing inappropriate or misleading in Instruction No. 22. Finally, while not contesting in his application for further review the adequacy of the evidence of fraudulent misrepresentation presented to the jury on the issue of compensatory damages, Walsh attacks the assessment of punitive damages against him. We have frequently stated that punitive damages are justified where a defendant acts maliciously. Beeck v. Aquaslide `N' Dive Corp., 350 N.W.2d 149, 167 (Iowa 1984). Malice may be implied in cases where the defendant acts improperly with willful or reckless disregard for another's rights. Id. The trial record is replete with examples of Walsh's behavior that the jury could reasonably conclude showed reckless disregard for Linda's rights. We agree with the court of appeals that substantial evidence supported the submission of, and the jury verdict for, punitive damages against defendant Walsh. Trial court did not err in entering judgment thereon. VI. Disposition. We conclude there were no reversible errors leading to the judgment against defendant Walsh. That judgment is affirmed. The trial court did err in failing to grant the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict of defendants Roach and Key City Bank and in not allowing foreclosure of the note and mortgage in favor of the bank. We therefore reverse those rulings and remand with instructions that judgment be entered consistent with this opinion. The decision of the court of appeals is vacated in part and affirmed in part. Costs in this court are taxed one-half to plaintiff and one-half to defendant Walsh. COURT OF APPEALS DECISION VACATED IN PART AND AFFIRMED IN PART; JUDGMENT OF DISTRICT COURT AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN PART. All Justices concur except SNELL, J., who takes no part.