Charlotte Newsom worked as a cashier at a store. One day she was told to report to the manager's office, where she was accused by two security staff members of stealing $500. She denied stealing the money. The meeting lasted two hours. The security staff asserted to have evidence of theft, although Newsom constantly denied the claim.
Whenever Newsom said she wanted to leave, the staff told her she would be arrested for theft if she left. Finally, Newsom wrote a statement denying the charge. She was fired on the spot and left the store. Did she have a case for false imprisonment?
[Newsom v. Thalhimer Brothers, 901 S.Wd.2d 365, Ct. App., Tenn. (1994)]