Wayne Gibbs and RoseMary Shell were engaged to be married.  Gibbs gave Shell an expensive engagement ring, and $30,000 to pay off her debts, but discovered that her financial situation was considerably more precarious, and broke off the engagement.  (Shell also alleges that Gibbs was cheating on her.)  Shell sued, and a jury awarded $150,000. (”Hall Co. jury awards jilted bride $150,000″, WDUN, Jul. 23; ABC News, Jul. 23).

Of course, if the two married, and Gibbs filed for a no-fault divorce a couple of days later, Shell would have no cause of action.  One of many reasons that breach of promise to marry suits are especially absurd in twenty-first century America.