Judge Dismisses Jury’s Verdict For Woman In Defamation Claim

Seventh District Judge Brent Moss has dismissed a jury’s verdict for Sondra Olson in the defamation claim against her former employer at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.

Moss ruled Thursday after the jury reconvened to hear testimony on damages that Olson had failed to show clear and convincing evidence against her former manager at EG&G Idaho Inc., Constance Blackwood.

“To say I was shocked is too mild an expression. I was devastated,” Olson said.

She was unaware the judge could throw out a jury’s verdict.

“I thought that’s why we have juries,” Olson said.

She plans to appeal the decision.

The former administrator of laboratory fellowships worked at EG&G for 18 years before being fired by Blackwood, a newly hired manager, on Aug, 12, 1993, for “poor work performance.” She was escorted out by armed guards.

Just 24 hours earlier, she had received an appreciation plaque from the universities she worked with. Olson said her questioning the hiring of a fellow employee’s child contributed to her dismissal.

Olson’s attorney, Stephen Meikle, said Moss had ruled on three previous occasions that there was enough evidence in the case to be presented before a jury. Meikle called the dismissal inconsistent.

Ted Pike, the attorney for EG&G and Blackwood, said the judge’s decision was correct under the law.

Madonna Boyd, a juror on the Olson case, said the jury’s verdict was meant as a message to the defendants. She did not think they were intentionally hurtful toward Olson.