Peterson v. Wilson
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
141 F.3d 573 (5th Cir. 1998)
Facts
Sylvester Peterson (plaintiff) was employed as grant director at Texas Southern University (TSU). When TSU fired Peterson, Peterson brought suit against Bobby Wilson (defendant), who was TSU's Vice President for Academic Affairs. Peterson's suit originally named the TSU Board of Regents and other TSU employees as defendants, but by the time the case went to trial, Wilson was the only defendant remaining in the case. After a trial, the jury found for Peterson and awarded damages. Wilson moved for a new trial. The court granted a new trial, concluding that the jury's verdict and comments made to the court after the verdict outside the presence of the parties or their counsel demonstrated that the jury had disregarded the court's instructions and considered improper facts in reaching its verdict. After the new trial, the jury found in favor of Wilson. Peterson appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Wiener, J.)
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