Holliday

This legal malpractice case resulting in a judgment of approximately $1.1 million, in favor of the plaintiff, Chester A. Holliday, is the aftermath of the events described in our unpublished opinion in People v. Holliday, reversing Holliday’s conviction of involuntary manslaughter relating to the killing of his wife. (See People v. Holliday (Jan. 12, 1984) 4 Crim. Nos. 13844 & 15645.) We reversed on the ground Holliday’s defense counsel Otis L. Jones was incompetent. (See People v. Holliday, supra.) Represented by different counsel on retrial Holliday ,was acquitted. Holliday then filed this action against Jones, Jones’s law partner, Douglas A. Oden, and the partnership, Jones & Oden, for himself and his minor children, Esther and Chester (C. J.), seeking damages for professional negligence, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The ensuing court trial was limited to Holliday’s cause of action for professional negligence and the children’s cause of action for negligent infliction of emotional distress. Defendants had earlier successfully demurred to Holliday’s causes of action for negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress and the…