Joint venturer in oil and gas development project brought declaratory judgment action against lessor and lessees of development rights to clear purported cloud on title. Lessor and lessees counterclaimed, alleging slander of title. Jury awarded lessor and lessees $19,000 in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia affirmed, 187 W.Va. 457, 419 S.E.2d 870, and certiorari was granted. The Supreme Court, Justice Stevens, held that: (1) punitive damages award was not so “grossly excessive” as to violate due process, and (2) punitive damages procedure followed by trial court did not violate due process.
Affirmed.