Lewis

I. INTRODUCTION

Plaintiffs Robert R. Lewis and Linda Lewis appeal from the dismissal of their

action against defendants and respondents Chris Wren, Nancy Wren, Stocker &

Lancaster, LLP, and Jay F. Stocker for negligent infliction of emotional distress and

malicious prosecution following the trial court‟s granting of defendants‟ special motion

to strike (anti-SLAPP1 motion) under Code of Civil Procedure2 section 425.16. The

Lewises contend they made a prima facie showing of facts to sustain a favorable

judgment, and the trial court therefore erred in granting the special motion to strike. The

Lewises also contend the trial court erred in ruling on the admissibility of evidence. We

affirm.

II. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Background

On March 7, 2002, the Wrens and the Lewises entered into an agreement by which

the Wrens agreed to purchase residential property (the property) from the Lewises for

$350,000. Escrow on the sale of the property closed on June 4, 2002.

Before June 2000, the Lewises had been involved in a dispute with Cox PCS

Assets, LLC, (Cox) and Sprint (collectively referred to herein as Sprint)3 regarding the

1 The acronym SLAPP stands for…