Facts

Plaintiff Marielena Jenneman and her husband, Timothy Jenneman, hired a live-in babysitter from Mexico to care for their two children.

The babysitter claimed and the Jennemans denied, that $3,000 was paid for the babysitter to be transported from Mexico to the United States to work for the Jennemans. The babysitter was supposed to work for the Jeenemans for one year, but decided after three months that she no longer wanted to work for the Jennemans.

The babysitter claimed she was being emotionally mistreated. According to the babysitter, when she asked to leave Marielena Jenneman was upset and threatened to take her back to Mexico if she was not paid back $3,000. According to Sandra and Maria Ceja, they received a call from the babysitter's sister-in-law requesting that they loan her $3,000 so that the babysitter could leave her employer.

Sandra Ceja also claimed she received a call from someone identifying herself as Marielena Jenneman demanded $3,000 and threatening that if the money was not paid she would not be responsible for what happened to the babysitter. Sandra Ceja then called 9-1-1 and the alleged threats were reported to the police. The police responded to the Jenneman home treating the matter as a possible kidnapping and attempted extortion.

Subsequently, Marielena Jenneman was charged with two counts of felony attempted extortion. Both counts were dismissed and plaintiff sued the Cejas for malicious prosecution.

Settlement Discussions

Demand: according to defendant, $28,000; according to plaintiff, $300,000. Offer: none.

Damages

Attorney's fees in the criminal case of $25,000, lost earnings and pain & suffering.

Result

Defense verdict.

Deliberation

5.5 hours

Poll

9-3

Length

nine days