In a recent ruling, the Fourth Judicial District Court in Ada County denied a motion for a new trial in the case involving Big City Coffee and Boise State University (BSU) officials Leslie Webb and Alicia Estey. A jury found that university officials retaliated against Sarah Jo Fendley, owner of Big City Coffee, for exercising her First Amendment rights.
Defendants Webb and Estey sought a new trial or a remittitur (reduction of damages), arguing that the jury’s decision was excessive and unsupported. The jury had awarded Fendley $4 million in damages, including $1 million for business losses, $1 million for lost reputation, $500,000 each for emotional distress and personal humiliation, and $1 million in punitive damages against Webb. However, the court reduced the damages for business losses from $1 million to $696,313, citing a lack of evidence to support the full jury award.
Judge Cynthia Yee-Wallace upheld the jury’s findings that Webb and Estey violated the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights. The court found credible evidence that the university officials’ actions — motivated by backlash from student groups — led to the termination of Big City Coffee’s contract on Boise State’s campus. The judge also determined that the emotional, reputational, and punitive damages awarded by the jury were supported by evidence, denying the need for a new trial.
According to an article from the Idaho Dispatch, Fendley has agreed to accept the reduction to just shy of $3.7 million. Additionally, Fendley told the Chronicle that there is one more hearing on Monday, January 6, to consider BSU’s other motions which include additional reductions as well as sanctions against her lawyer.
Big City Coffee closed down just prior to the jury’s decision, and recently reopened under the Caffeina brand.
About Brian Almon
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
