Rice v. Housing Authority
129 Conn. App. 614
| Conn. App. Ct. | 2011Background
- Rice appeals from a trial court judgment setting aside the jury verdict and awarding judgment to Pontolillo on Rice's tortious interference claim.
- The jury initially awarded Rice $671,036 in damages plus $1 in emotional distress and indicated punitive damages were warranted.
- The trial court granted Pontolillo's motion to set aside the verdict, finding Pontolillo did not cause Rice's termination.
- The appellate record was later found to be incomplete due to missing trial transcripts; plaintiff's counsel failed to timely file the required transcript order.
- The court granted the defendant's motion to strike the late-filed transcripts, and the appellate panel determined it could not review the merits without the transcripts.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Did the trial court abuse its discretion in setting aside the verdict on causation? | Rice contends Pontolillo contributed to termination. | Pontolillo argues no causal connection existed. | Affirmed; cannot determine merits due to record insufficiency. |
| Is the appellate record adequate for meaningful review given missing transcripts? | Record sufficient for review despite transcripts. | Record inadequate without transcripts. | Record inadequate; appellate review cannot proceed. |
Key Cases Cited
- Nuzzo v. Nathan, 123 Conn.App. 114 (2010) (proper standard for reviewing a trial court's denial or grant of relief in light of the evidence)
- Downes-Patterson Corp. v. First National Supermarkets, Inc., 64 Conn.App. 417 (2001) (appellate review of jury verdicts; weight given to trial court rulings)
- LaReau v. Reincke, 158 Conn. 486 (1969) (waiver considerations in transcript-related objections and timely filing)