Opinion ID: 599224
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Procedural Path

Text: 11 In May, 1990, Oxford filed suit against Drexel and Masco. Oxford sought recovery claiming that (1) Drexel breached the contract between Oxford and Drexel, (2) Drexel fraudulently suppressed McLeod's objections to contract, and (3) Masco tortiously interfered with the contract. Oxford sought compensatory and punitive damages on all counts. 12 After a full presentation by both parties, the district court granted Oxford's motion for a directed verdict against Drexel on the breach of contract claim. The district denied Drexel's and Masco's motions for directed verdicts on the fraudulent suppression and tortious interference claims. The jury deliberated on those two claims and found that Drexel had committed fraud and that Masco had tortiously interfered with the contract between Oxford and Drexel. The jury awarded compensatory damages of $1,473,000 for each of the three claims. Each award was included in the other awards resulting in a total compensatory damage recovery of $1,473,000. The jury also found Masco liable for punitive damages of $250,000 for its tortious interference. The district court entered judgment against Drexel and Masco for $1,723,000. The district court denied Drexel's and Masco's motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or, in the alternative, a new trial. 13 On appeal, Drexel and Masco argue that the district court erred in granting Oxford's motion for a directed verdict on the contract claim, denying Drexel's and Masco's motions for directed verdicts on the fraudulent suppression and tortious interference claim, and submitting the punitive damage claim against Masco to the jury. They also contend that the evidence was not sufficient to support the jury's verdict awarding $1,473,000 in compensatory damages and that the closing argument of Oxford's counsel was improper.