Aaron Payne, et al., Plaintiffs/Appellants/Cross- Missouri Cases

Aaron Payne and Dominic Petrulli (Appellants) appealed the trial court's directed verdict in favor of Wayne Cunningham and Southtown Dodge, Inc. (Sellers) in a contract dispute concerning the sale of a car dealership. Appellants sought declaratory and equitable relief, including specific performance, alleging breach of a stock purchase agreement and an escrow agreement. The trial court granted a directed verdict, concluding that the claim was merely for breach of contract, making declaratory judgment improper. The appellate court reversed and remanded, holding that Appellants made a submissible case for declaratory relief and specific performance, which required factual findings by a jury regarding the alleged escrow agreement.