This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

D's employee Akedra Atkins 'yelled . . . 'stop her'' and then accused P of putting merchandise in her bag. Atkins asked to search P’s purse, believing it contained stolen merchandise. P refused, and Atkins instructed store employee Calvin Brooks to stand in the aisle and watch P while she called the police. Thirty minutes later, a police officer arrived and performed an item-by-item search of P's purse in full view of other shoppers, ultimately absolving her. The officer then escorted Hobson out of the store and told her 'that at the request of store management, she was banned from ever entering the store again.' P filed suit seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false arrest/imprisonment. D moved for summary judgment.

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