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The Scintilla Rule, Joseph O'Meara

Journal Articles

The language quoted from Jacob Laub Baking Company v. Middleton, in which all concurred, will undoubtedly tend to increase the number of directed verdicts and appears to be, in effect, a repudiation of the scintilla rule. The problem, therefore, is to devise a formula which, while meeting the objections to the scintilla rule, will put the judge on notice that a greater degree of assurance is required to direct a verdict than to set one aside. Holding that the conclusion is against.the plaintiff beyond a reasonable doubt is not inconsistent with recognizing that there is "some evidence, however slight". The …