FOR PUBLICATION
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS: ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES:
MORRIS L. KLAPPER Celadon Trucking Services, Inc:
G. R. PARISH, JR. JAMES H. HANSON
Klapper Isaac & Parish LYNNE D. LIDKE
Indianapolis, Indiana A. JACK FINKLEA
Scopelitis, Garvin, Light & Hanson
Indianapolis, Indiana
Bruce Edwards:
RONALD W. FRAZIER
Frazier Law Office
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
LAWRENCE BRANHAM AND BECKY )
BRANHAM, )
)
Appellants, )
)
vs. ) No. 49A02-0003-CV-196
)
CELADON TRUCKING SERVICES, INC. )
and BRUCE EDWARDS, )
)
Appellees. )
APPEAL FROM THE MARION SUPERIOR COURT
The Honorable William T. Lawrence, Judge
Cause No. 49C01-9906-CT-1323
February 20, 2001
OPINION - FOR PUBLICATION
KIRSCH, Judge
The law does not provide a remedy for every annoyance that occurs in
everyday life. Many things which are distressing or may be lacking in
propriety or good taste are not actionable.
Kelley v. Post Publishing Company, 98 N.E.2d 286, 287 (Mass. 1951) (quoted in
Lee v. Weston, 402 N.E.2d 23, 30 n.2 (Ind. Ct. App. 1980)).
These words guide our examination of this consolidated appeal, in which Lawrence and
Becky Branham
See footnote
appeal from the trial courts grant of summary judgment on their
claim against Celadon Trucking Services, Inc. (Celadon) and Bruce Edwards for Edwardss negligent
supervision and Celadon and Edwards appeal the denial of summary judgment on the
Branhams remaining claims. We address the following issues:
I. Whether the Branhams claims are barred by the exclusivity provisions of the Indiana
Workers Compensation Act.
II. Whether the Branhams designation of evidence in opposition to the motion for summary
judgment was sufficient and whether a genuine issue of material fact precludes entry
of summary judgment on Branhams claims for libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress,
and invasion of privacy.
III. Whether summary judgment should be granted on the Branhams claims for punitive damages
and loss of consortium.
We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand with instructions.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Branham and Adam Deaton worked as mechanics for Celadon. Edwards was the
lead mechanic and their supervisor. Celadon employees received a thirty-minute lunch break
and two fifteen-minute breaks during their shifts. On March 6, 1999, Branham
fell asleep in a chair in the employee break room while on his
break. Deaton found him sleeping and asked Edwards to take a picture
of them. Edwards retrieved an instant camera used by Celadon employees to
photograph damaged trucks for insurance purposes. Standing beside the sleeping Branham, Deaton
posed with his pants down, clad in his underwear with his hand held
suggestively in front of his genital area. Edwards snapped the picture and
then left it on the table in the break room. Deaton took
the picture and showed it to other mechanics.
Other mechanics and employees began teasing Branham about the picture. Although Branham
knew that his picture had been taken, he did not realize what the
picture represented. After a couple of weeks, he complained to Edwards and
asked Edwards to retrieve the picture. Edwards ordered Deaton to return the
picture to Branham. When Branham saw the image, he became very upset.
Meanwhile, Celadons management learned of the picture. After an investigation, they
suspended both Deaton and Edwards for a week without pay and demoted Edwards
from lead mechanic to mechanic.
Branham, however, felt like a laughing stock. He secured employment with another
trucking firm and left his employment at Celadon. He and his wife,
Becky, then filed suit against Celadon, Edwards, and Deaton. Their complaint stated
claims for invasion of privacy, libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent supervision,
and loss of consortium. Celadon filed a motion to dismiss the Branhams
complaint alleging that the trial court lacked jurisdiction because the claim was governed
by the Indiana Workers Compensation Act. The trial court denied this
motion. Celadon and Edwards then moved for summary judgment on all claims.
The trial court granted Edwardss motion for summary judgment on the negligent
supervision claim and denied the motion on all other claims. All parties
now appeal.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I.
Exclusivity Provision of the Indiana Workers Compensation Act
Celadon and Edwards first contend that the trial court lacked jurisdiction over the
Branhams suit because Branham claims a work-related injury, and the Indiana Workers Compensation
Act (Act) gives exclusive jurisdiction of workers compensation claims to the Workers Compensation
Board.
A defense that the plaintiffs action is barred by the exclusivity provision of
the Act is an attack on the trial courts subject matter jurisdiction.
U.S. Metalsource Corp. v. Simpson, 649 N.E.2d 682, 684 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995).
Lack of subject matter jurisdiction is an affirmative defense which may be
raised in the pleadings under Ind. Trial Rule 8(C) or on motion to
dismiss for lack of jurisdiction under Ind. Trial Rule 12(B)(1). Id.
Here, Celadon and Edwards filed a motion to dismiss the Branhams claims.
In ruling on a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction,
the court may resolve factual disputes.
Id. In doing so, it
may consider not only the complaint and motion, but also any affidavits or
other evidence submitted. Id. Moreover, the court may weigh the evidence
to determine the existence of the requisite jurisdictional facts. Id.
Once the defendant raises the issue of the exclusivity of the Act, the
burden shifts to the employee to prove that the claim falls outside the
scope of the Act. Nowicki v. Cannon Steel Erection Co., 711 N.E.2d
536, 539 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied. In meeting this burden,
the plaintiff must adduce evidence supporting jurisdiction and not rely merely on the
pleadings. Foshee v. Shoneys, Inc., 637 N.E.2d 1277, 1280 (Ind. 1994).
The Act provides for compensation to employees who receive injuries on the job.
See IC 22-3-3-10. IC 22-3-2-6 states that the rights and remedies
granted to an employee under the statute exclude all other rights and remedies
of such employee. However, by definition the Act applies only
if the employee has received an injury. IC 22-3-6-1 provides: Injury
and personal injury mean only injury by accident arising out of and in
the course of the employment and do not include a disease in any
form except as it results from the injury.
Our supreme court examined this definition in
Perry v. Stitzer Buick GMC, Inc.,
637 N.E.2d 1282, 1288-89 (Ind. 1994). In that case, an employee brought
suit against his former employer for damages resulting from harassment, racial slurs, battery,
and his eventual discharge. The employer argued that the suit was barred
by the exclusivity provision of the Act. The supreme court disagreed and
held that Perry was entitled to bring a common law suit. Id.
The court examined the definition of personal injury in the statute and found
that the term includes both physical injury and the different concepts of disability
and impairment.
Id. The court noted that impairment is a term
of art for purposes of workers compensation that denotes an injured employees loss
of physical functions and disability refers to an injured employees inability to work.
Id. Further, the extent of a disability is determined by a
workers physical and mental fitness for various employment opportunities. Id.
In Perrys complaint, he alleged that he suffered embarrassment, humiliation, stress and paranoia,
and that his character and reputation had been damaged. However, he had
not sustained any physical injury or loss of physical function, and he was
able and willing to continue to perform his duties at his employment.
Thus, the court concluded that his injuries did not constitute personal injury or
death as those terms are comprehended by the act. Therefore, Perrys claim was
not barred by the exclusivity provision because the injuries at the heart of
his complaint were not physical, and there was no impairment or disability at
issue. Id.
Likewise, here, the heart of Branhams injury is not physical, but emotional.
He alleges that the defendants actions caused him embarrassment, humiliation, injury to his
reputation, and extreme emotional distress. Further, in spite of his unwillingness to
continue in his position at Celadon, Branham remained fit for other employment opportunities
and in fact began employment at another company upon terminating his Celadon employment.
Thus, there was no disability associated with his injury. Because Branhams
injury was not physical and had no disabling quality, it is not a
personal injury in the sense that the term is defined in the Act.
The Act therefore does not apply to his claim. Thus, the
trial court properly exercised subject mater jurisdiction over Branhams claims.
Nonetheless, Celadon directs us to Hansen v. Von Duprin, Inc., 507 N.E.2d 573
(Ind. 1987) for the proposition that purely emotional injuries are covered by the
Act. In that case, the plaintiff experienced emotional difficulties after being shot
by her husband. Her supervisor engaged in horseplay by repeatedly scaring her
and making loud noises. After one such episode, she left work and
was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression which rendered her unable to work.
Id.
The question actually before the court was whether, in the context of an
employee making a workers compensation claim, the plaintiffs injuries occurred by accident within
the meaning of the Act. In concluding that the injuries were accidental
and that the Act applied, the court stated that [w]hether the injury is
mental or physical, the determinative standard should be the same. Id. at
576. The court was not faced with the question of whether purely
emotional injuries are personal injuries under the Act. Further, the plaintiffs emotional
injury did have a disabling quality. Therefore, although the case was similar
to Perry in that a purely emotional injury was involved, the disabling aspect
of the plaintiffs condition brought it within the Acts definition of injury.
Thus, Hansen is distinguishable from the instant case. See also Coble v.
Joseph Motors, Inc., 695 N.E.2d 129 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998), trans. denied (plaintiffs
claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress was not barred by the Workers
Compensation Act); Terrell v. Rowsey, 647 N.E.2d 662, 665 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995),
trans. denied (action not barred by the exclusivity provision where there was no
physical injury or loss of function, but plaintiff allegedly suffered defamation, embarrassment and
loss of quiet enjoyment of his property when supervisor accused him of drinking
alcohol in employers parking lot).
Beckys claim is for loss of consortium. Because it is derivative in
nature, a spouses loss of consortium claim follows the same analysis.
See
Wine-Settergren v. Lamey, 716 N.E.2d 381, 390 (Ind. 1999) (loss of consortium claim
barred by exclusivity provision when spouses negligence claim against employer is barred).
Accordingly, because Branhams claim is not barred, neither is Beckys.
II. Summary Judgment
The parties next challenge the trial courts summary judgment decision with regard to
each claim. Summary judgment is appropriate when the designated evidence demonstrates that
there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party
is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Ind. Trial Rule
56(C); Warner Trucking, Inc. v. Carolina Cas. Ins. Co., 686 N.E.2d 102, 104
(Ind. 1997). The purpose of summary judgment is to terminate litigation about
which there can be no material factual dispute and which can be resolved
as a matter of law. Foster v. Evergreen Healthcare, Inc., 716 N.E.2d
19, 23-24 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied (2000); Schrum v. Moskaluk, 655
N.E.2d 561, 563-64 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995), trans. denied (1996).
When reviewing a motion for summary judgment, this court applies the same standard
utilized by the trial court, and we resolve any doubt as to a
fact, or an inference to be drawn therefrom, in favor of the party
opposing summary judgment.
Bamberger & Feibleman v. Indianapolis Power & Light Co.,
665 N.E.2d 933 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996). We will affirm a trial
courts grant of summary judgment if it is sustainable on any theory found
in the evidence designated to the trial court. Id.
When the movants affidavits and other evidence demonstrate the lack of a genuine
issue, the burden shifts to the opposing party to demonstrate the existence of
a genuine issue for trial. Carroll v. Jagoe Homes, Inc., 677 N.E.2d
612, 614 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997), trans. denied. The non-moving party may
not rest on the pleadings, but must set forth specific facts that show
there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. Worrell, 653
N.E.2d at 1056.
A. Designation
Celadon argues that the Branhams designation of evidence does not comply with the
trial rules. Accordingly, they assert that their supporting materials cannot be
considered and they therefore did not meet their burden of demonstrating that a
genuine issue of material fact remains. Neither the trial court nor this
court on appeal can look beyond the evidence specifically designated to the trial
court. Kissell v. Vanes, 629 N.E.2d 878, 879-80 (Ind. Ct. App. 1994).
A proper designation consists of: (1) a list of the
factual matters which are or are not in dispute, (2) supported by a
specific designation to their location in the record, and (3) a brief synopsis
of why those facts are material. Id.
Here, in a separately titled document, the Branhams provided the name of each
document upon which they relied, along with page and line numbers. Although
these references were not directly linked to the issue of fact to which
they pertained, the designation was to specific portions of the supporting materials.
Because the rule does not specify how such a designation must be made,
we deem this designation sufficient. We thus proceed to consider the merits
of the trial courts decision on each of the Branhams claims.
Libel
Celadon and Edwards next assert that there is no genuine issue of material
fact that precludes entry of summary judgment on the Branhams claim for libel.
Libel is a species of defamation under Indiana law.
Indiana Ins. Co.
v. North Vermillion Community Sch. Corp., 665 N.E.2d 630, 635 (Ind. Ct. App.
1996), trans. denied. Defamation is that which tends to injure reputation or
to diminish esteem, respect, goodwill or confidence in the plaintiff, or to excite
derogatory feelings or opinions about the plaintiff. Daugherty v. Allen, 729 N.E.2d
228, 237 n.8 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000), trans. dismissed; Davidson v. Perron, 716
N.E.2d 29, 37 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied (2000). To maintain
an action for defamation, a plaintiff must prove a communication with four elements:
1) defamatory imputation; 2) malice; 3) publication; and 4)
damages. Northern Indiana Public Serv. Co. v. Dabagia, 721 N.E.2d 294, 301
(Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied (2000); Davidson, 716 N.E.2d at 37; Samm
v. Great Dane Trailers, 715 N.E.2d 420, 427 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans.
denied (2000). A communication is defamatory per se under well-settled common law
rules if it imputes: 1) criminal conduct; 2) a loathsome disease;
3) misconduct in a persons trade, profession, office, or occupation; or
4) sexual misconduct. Levee v. Beeching, 729 N.E.2d 215, 220 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2000); Daugherty, 729 N.E.2d at 237 n.8 (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts
§ 570 (1977); Rambo v. Cohen, 587 N.E.2d 140, 145 (Ind. Ct. App.
1992), trans. denied.). In addition, the defamatory nature of the communication must
appear without resort to extrinsic facts or circumstances. Id. The determination
of whether a communication is defamatory is a question of law. Id.;
Dabagia, 721 N.E.2d at 301; Coachmen Industries, Inc. v. Dunn, 719 N.E.2d 1271,
1277 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), trans. denied (2000). However, it may be
presented to the jury as a question of fact if the communication is
reasonably susceptible to either defamatory or non-defamatory interpretation. Dabagia, 721 N.E.2d at
301; Coachmen Industries, 719 N.E.2d at 1277; Davidson, 716 N.E.2d at 37.
In making such a determination, the communication is to be viewed in context
and given its plain and natural meaning.
Dabagia, 721 N.E.2d at 301;
Davidson, 716 N.E.2d at 37. However, not all defamation is actionable.
Dabagia, 721 N.E.2d at 301. True statements never give rise to liability
for defamation. Id.
Here, Branham argued that the picture was defamatory per se because it showed
him engaged in criminal sexual conduct. It does not. It depicts
Branham sleeping and Deaton standing nearby. Branham himself testified that the picture
depicted him asleep and admitted that he was actually asleep at the time.
Thus, the picture was a truthful representation of him sleeping and therefore
not defamatory as a matter of law.
Nonetheless, Branham argues that the picture, while not depicting criminal conduct outright,
implies
it. No reasonable inference of criminal conduct can be drawn from the
picture which shows Branham clearly and obviously asleep. The defendants are entitled
to summary judgment on Branhams defamation claim.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Celadon and Edwards next argue that there is no genuine issue of material
fact that precludes entry of summary judgment on Branhams claim for intentional infliction
of emotional distress. Intentional infliction of emotional distress is committed by one
who by extreme and outrageous conduct intentionally or recklessly causes severe emotional distress
to another . . . . Ledbetter v. Ross, 725 N.E.2d 120,
123-24 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000) (quoting Cullison v. Medley, 570 N.E.2d 27, 31
(Ind. 1991)); Pohle v. Cheatham, 724 N.E.2d 655, 659 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).
The intent to harm emotionally constitutes the basis of the tort.
Ledbetter, 725 N.E.2d at 124; Pohle, 724 N.E.2d at 659; Bradley v. Hall,
720 N.E.2d 747, 752 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999). Thus, the elements of
the tort are: a defendant (1) engages in extreme and outrageous conduct that
(2) intentionally or recklessly (3) causes (4) severe emotional distress to another.
Bradley, 720 N.E.2d at 752.
The requirements to prove this tort are rigorous.
Ledbetter, 725 N.E.2d at
124 (quoting W. Page Keeton Et Al., Prosser And Keeton On The Law
Of Torts, § 12 at 61 (5th ed. 1984)). Intentional infliction of
emotional distress is found where conduct exceeds all bounds usually tolerated by a
decent society and causes mental distress of a very serious kind. Id.
In Bradley, 720 N.E.2d at 752-53, we quoted with approval the comment to
Section 46 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts, which reads:
d. Extreme and outrageous conduct. The cases thus far decided have
found
liability only where the defendants conduct has been extreme and outrageous. It has
not been enough that the defendant has acted with an intent which is
tortious or even criminal, or that he has intended to inflict emotional distress,
or even that his conduct has been characterized by malice, or a degree
of aggravation which would entitle the plaintiff to punitive damages for another tort.
Liability has been found only where the conduct has been so outrageous
in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible
bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in
a civilized community. Generally, the case is one in which the recitation
of the facts to an average member of the community would arouse his
resentment against the actor, and lead him to exclaim, Outrageous!
Id. at 752-53 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999) (quoting Restatement (Second) Of Torts §
46). What constitutes extreme and outrageous conduct depends, in part, upon prevailing
cultural norms and values. Id. In the appropriate case, the question
can be decided as a matter of law. See, e.g., Conwell v. Beatty,
667 N.E.2d 768, 775-77 (Ind. Ct. App.1996) (no outrageous conduct where sheriff announced
deputys arrest at press conference and refused to assist deputy in completing retirement
forms); Gable v. Curtis, 673 N.E.2d 805, 809-11 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996) (no
outrageous conduct where contractors wife phoned purchaser seven times in one hour, screaming,
threatening to repossess home and to come over, and stating repeatedly that the
purchasers would pay).
Here, there was absolutely no evidence that anyone involved intended to harm Branham.
Deaton testified that the picture was his idea and he thought it
was a joke. He stated that he was laughing while posing because
he thought it was funny and that he did not intend to hurt
or humiliate Branham. He testified that everyone who viewed the photograph knew
it was a joke; many of them laughed when they saw it.
Edwards likewise testified that the picture was a joke and that he did
not intend to hurt Branham. He stated that the picture had no
purpose beyond being a practical joke and that it was not meant to
suggest anything. He testified that he recognized that it was in poor
taste, but intended for Deaton to give the picture to Branham after he
awoke. He did not think that the photograph would be hurtful or
painful to Branham.
Branham testified that he had no reason to contradict the testimony of Edwards
and Deaton that they had no intent to harm him. He testified
that Deaton joked a lot and that he cut up with him.
He also testified that Edwards apologized and said it was meant as a
joke, and that he seemed sincere.
There is no dispute that the defendants did not intend to harm Branham.
Accordingly, the defendants are entitled to summary judgment on Branhams claim of
intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Invasion of Privacy
Celadon and Edwards next allege that there is no genuine issue of material
fact that precludes entry of summary judgment on the Branhams claim for invasion
of privacy. The general tort known as invasion of privacy has four
strands: (1) unreasonable intrusion upon the seclusion of another; (2) publicity that
unreasonably places another in a false light before the public; (3) unreasonable
publicity given to anothers private life; and (4) appropriation of anothers name or
likeness. Doe v. Methodist Hosp., 690 N.E.2d 681, 684 (Ind.
1997). Of these, Branham claims intrusion into seclusion and false light publicity.
To establish a claim for invasion of privacy by intrusion, a plaintiff must
demonstrate that there was an intrusion upon the plaintiffs physical solitude or seclusion,
as by invading his home or other quarters . . . .
Ledbetter, 725 N.E.2d at 123 (quoting Keeton Et Al., § 117 at 854).
To constitute tortious conduct, the intrusion must be something which would be
offensive or objectionable to a reasonable person. Id.
The parties debate whether such intrusion must be into the plaintiffs private physical
space, or whether an instrusion into a persons emotion solace will suffice.
See Van Jelgerhuis v. Mercury Finance Co., 940 F. Supp. 1344 (S.D. Ind.
1996). We recognize that our supreme court has stated: [w]hen the invasion
of a plaintiffs right to privacy takes the form of intrusion, it consists
of an intrusion upon the plaintiffs physical solitude or seclusion as by invading
his home or conducting an illegal search. Cullison, 570 N.E.2d at 31
(Ind. 1991). We need not resolve the parties dispute, however, because under
either analysis Branhams claim fails.
Branham testified that other people were in the break room when he fell
asleep there and that employees used the area to eat their lunches.
Thus, Deaton and Edwards did not intrude upon Branhams private physical space.
Further, they also did not intrude upon Branhams emotional privacy. Branham was
asleep when the picture was posed and taken. Therefore, he could not
have suffered any emotional disturbance from it. Immediately after Edwards took the
picture, Deaton told Branham about the picture. The evidence in the light
most favorable to Branham suggests that other co-workers jokingly remarked upon the picture
in the following days; however, this conduct cannot be imputed to Deaton and
Edwards. Therefore, the defendants were entitled to summary judgment on Branhams claim
of intrusion into seclusion.
Branham also asserts a claim for false light publicity. This tort is
similar to defamation, but reaches different interests.
Near East Side Community Org.
v. Hair, 555 N.E.2d 1324, 1335 (Ind. Ct. App. 1990). Defamation reaches
injury to reputation; privacy actions involve injuries to emotions and mental suffering.
Id.
Courts have looked to the Restatement for the express elements of the tort:
One who gives publicity to a matter concerning another that places the other
before the public in a false light is subject to liability to the
other for invasion of his privacy, if
the false light in which the other was placed would be highly offensive
to a reasonable person, and
the actor had knowledge of or acted in reckless disregard as to the
falsity of the publicized matter and the false light in which the
other would
be placed.
St. John v. Town of Ellettsville, 46 F. Supp. 2d 834, 851 (S.D.
Ind. 1999) (quoting Restatement (Second) of Torts § 652E (1977)).
Here, Branhams claim fails for the same reason his defamation claim fails.
That is, there is no false light because the picture is not false.
The picture depicts him asleep with a partially clad co-worker standing beside
him. He was, in fact, asleep with a partially clad co-worker beside
him. The picture was accurate, not false, and the defendants are entitled
to summary judgment on Branhams false light publicity claim.
III. Punitive Damages and Loss of Consortium
Finally, Celadon and Edwards maintain that the trial court erred in denying their
motion for summary judgment on Branhams claim for punitive damages because the uncontroverted
evidence establishes that their conduct did not rise to the level required to
sustain an award of punitive damages. Because we have held that the
defendants are entitled to summary judgment on all of Branhams claims, his claim
for punitive damages also must fail. The defendants are entitled to summary
judgment on Branhams claim for punitive damages as well.
Similarly, with no host tort, Becky Branhams loss of consortium claim also fails.
We remand with instructions to enter summary judgment on all of the Branhams
claims.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
See footnote
NAJAM, J., and VAIDIK, J., concur.
Footnote:
We will refer to Lawrence Branham as Branham and Becky and
Lawrence collectively as the Branhams.
Footnote:
The Branhams argue that Celadon is liable for the acts of
Edwards and Deaton through the doctrine of respondeat superior. Respondeat superior is
a tort theory of vicarious liability through which an employer who is not
liable because of his own acts can be held liable for the wrongful
acts of his employee that are committed within the scope of employment.
Southport Little League v. Vaughan, 734 N.E.2d 261, 267-68 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).
Because we hold that summary judgment should be granted on all counts
against the individual defendants, we need not decide this issue. Similarly, because
Deaton committed no actionable wrong, the quality of Edwardss supervision of him is
also moot.