Case ID: minn_186/html/0096-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Hilton, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

JOSEPH GAARE v. LARS MELBOSTAD.
    
    April 29, 1932'.
    No. 28,888.
    
      Christian G. Dosland, for appellant.
    
      M. A. and A. D. Brattland, for respondent.
    
      
      Reported in 242 N. W. 466.
    
   Hilton, J.

Action for slander. Plaintiff appeals from an order sustaining a demurrer to his complaint on the ground that it fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.

The complaint alleged that the First State Bank of Perley, Minnesota, for many years prior to August 1, 1929, was a banking corporation, organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Minnesota, and as such transacted a banking business at Perley; that on or about that date its doors were closed and it Avas placed in the hands of the commissioner of banks for liquidation; that during practically all the time the bank was transacting business plaintiff was its cashier and managing officer; that on the eighth day of August, 1929, in the village of Perley, defendant maliciously spoke in the presence and hearing of others of and concerning plaintiff these Avords:

“If Joe (meaning this plaintiff) had not been a crooked son-of-a-bitch that bank (meaning the First State Bank of Perley, Minnesota) Avould never have gone broke.”

It Avas further alleged in the complaint that said words were false and maliciously spoken by the defendant for the purpose of injuring the plaintiff in his good reputation; that thereby plaintiff has suffered in his reputation to his damage in the sum of $5,000. There followed a demand for judgment in that sum with interest, costs, and disbursements.

There are no special damages pleaded as a proximate result of the statement made. Spoken words, even if calculated to expose one to public contempt, hatred, or ridicule, in the absence of an allegation of special damages, are not actionable, though such published ones are. 4 Dunnell, Minn. Dig. (2 ed.) § 5502, and cases cited. Many libel cases cited by appellant are not in point here. There is no allegation in the complaint that plaintiff either had, or was disparaged or damaged-in, a profession, calling, business, occupation, or trade.

It is true that spoken Avords to be actionable need not in express terms contain a criminal charge. The question however is hoAv would ordinary men naturally understand the language. Richmond v. Post, 69 Minn. 457, 72 N. W. 704. The particular part of the statement Avhich plaintiff compláins of is the use in reference to him of the Avord “crooked.” His argument here is that the word as used in the complaint (Avithout further statement) in its ordinary meaning and in and of itself, meant that plaintiff was a “crook.” We cannot so conclude. Certainly it Avas not its obvious and natural meaning. A “crook” is by lexicographers defined as “a professional rogue; a criminal; or one consorting with criminals; a person recognized by the authorities as belonging to the criminal class; swindler; sharp; cheat.” It might as Avell be contended that if defendant had referred to the plaintiff as a member of a “gang,” Avithout further statement, it would mean that he Avas a “gangster” in the criminal sense in AAdiich that Avord is coming to be used. The word “crooked” has many and varied meanings. Plaintiff, quoting from Funk & Wagnalls dictionary, defines it as “not straightforward or upright in conduct; tricky; perverse; dishonest.” A bare oral statement that plaintiff Avas all of these would not impute to him the commission of a crime. The complaint does not show the use of a word that was slanderous and actionable per se. There are no allegations by way of innuendo and inducement in the complaint. Whether such would be of avail we need not determine.

The foregoing, wherein we construe the complaint before us, disposes of this case. The complaint did not state a cause of action.

Affirmed.

Loring, J. took no part.