Townsend v. Townsend
Missouri Supreme Court
708 S.W.2d 646 (1986)
- Written by Haley Gintis, JD
Facts
Diana Townsend (plaintiff) was shot in the back by her husband, James Townsend (James) (defendant). Townsend filed a claim against James to receive compensatory and punitive damages for the personal injuries she had suffered. James filed a motion for summary judgment on the ground of interspousal immunity, which the district court granted. The matter was appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court. The court considered whether to abolish the doctrine of interspousal immunity by reviewing the purpose of Missouri’s Married Women’s Act and previous court decisions concerning the doctrine and its application.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Rendlen, J.)
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