Opinion ID: 1634131
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Jury instruction D-13 reads:

Text: The Court instructs the jury that you may not award damages for mental pain and suffering alleged by the Plaintiffs, or either one of them, as a result of the alleged wrongful acts of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., if you find from a preponderance of the evidence that the conduct of Wal-Mart's employees did not constitute an intentional act of malice or a wanton or shamefully gross wrong against the Plaintiffs, or either of them. 1. An act or failure to act is malicious if prompted or accompanied by ill will or spite or grudge, either towards the Plaintiffs individually or towards all persons in one or more groups of categories in which the Plaintiffs are a member. 2. An act or failure to act is wanton if done with a reckless or callous disregard of, or indifference, to the rights of one or more persons, including the Plaintiffs, or either of them. 3. A wanton or shamefully gross wrong is that course of conduct which under the particular circumstance discloses a reckless indifference to the consequences without exertion of any substantial effort to avoid them. In considering these definitions I have given to you, you should determine from a preponderance of the evidence whether or not the conduct of Wal-Mart's employees constituted gross negligence, malicious or wanton disregard of the rights of the Plaintiffs, or either of them. On the other hand, should you find that the acts of the Wal-Mart employees, although wrongful, done in good faith, then the Plaintiff may not recover for mental pain and suffering. (Emphasis added.) This instruction is an incorrect statement of the law under the facts of this case. It is preemptive in nature. By instructing the jury that malice must be found to award pain and suffering damages, the Court is in essence telling the jury that Wal Mart's actions were done: (1) in good faith, (2) with probable cause, and (3) in a reasonable manner. Even assuming that the first two elements are undisputed, still a jury question obtains as to the reasonableness of the manner of the search. This instruction was erroneously granted. The plaintiff did not have to prove malice in this case. Fault in defamation cases involving private persons, regardless of their social standing, or ranks and privileges, may be predicated on the negligence of the publisher. Eselin-Bullock & Assoc. Ins. Agency, Inc. v. National Gen'l Ins. Co., 604 So.2d 236, 241 (Miss. 1992).