Source: https://casetext.com/case/schulze-v-coykendall
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 02:43:44+00:00

Document:
Opinion filed January 24, 1976.
1. LIBEL AND SLANDER — What Slander Involves. A slander involves only one act, the speaking of words and the hearing and understanding of them by third persons. Each such instance gives rise to a distinct claim.
2. SAME — What Petition Must Allege. A petition for libel and slander must set forth the alleged defamatory words spoken or published, the names of those persons to whom they were spoken or published and the time and place of their publication.
3. SAME — Failure of Petition to Allege Necessary Information — Summary Judgment. When a petition for slander or libel fails to set forth the necessary information as stated in Syl. ¶ 2 of this opinion and the plaintiff fails to comply with an order of the court for a more definite statement the action may be dismissed or a summary judgment may be entered in favor of defendant on those separate counts for which the necessary information is not given.
4. TRIAL — Imposing Sanctions. The authority of a trial court to impose sanctions should be exercised no more drastically than is actually required to protect the rights of the other parties.
5. LIBEL AND SLANDER — When Publication Privileged. Ordinarily a publication is qualifiedly or conditionally privileged if it is made under circumstances and in a manner which repel, preclude or rebut the inference of malice arising prima facie from a statement prejudicial to the character of the plaintiff.
6. SAME — Public Interest in Schools — Public School Teacher — Qualified Privilege. There is a public interest involved in school matters and patrons have a common interest and duty in the premises. Acting in good faith they may petition a school board relating to the qualifications and tenure of a public school teacher and the preparation and filing of the complaint enjoys a qualified privilege.
7. SAME — Conditional Privilege — Determination a Question of Law. The determination of whether a conditional privilege exists is a question of law to be decided by the court when the facts upon which such a determination must stand are undisputed.
8. SAME — Conditionally Privileged Communication Absent Malice — No Liability. In this jurisdiction there is no liability on a conditionally privileged communication absent the existence of actual malice and in such a case the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to establish malice.
9. SAME — Defamation Actions — Proof of Actual Malice. Proof of actual malice in defamation actions when a conditional privilege is found to exist requires a plaintiff to prove that the publication was made with knowledge that the defamatory statement was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not.
10. SAME — Separate Publications — Public School Teacher — Summary Judgment for Slander Proper — Summary Judgment for Libel Erroneous. In an action charging separate publications of libel and slander concerning the professional actions of a public school teacher the record on appeal is examined and it is held: (1) the trial court did not err in entering summary judgment in favor of the defendant on the claim or claims of slander, and (2) the trial court did err in entering summary judgment in favor of defendant on the claim of libel.
Appeal from Allen district court; FLOYD H. COFFMAN, judge. Opinion filed January 24, 1976. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded with directions.
Charles F. Forsyth, of Erie, argued the cause, and Clark M. Fleming, of Erie, was with him on the brief for appellant.
J.D. Conderman, of Iola, argued the cause, and Robert V. Talkington, also of Iola, was with him on the brief for appellee.
This is an appeal from an order granting a summary judgment for defendant in an action for libel and for slander.
The plaintiff, E. Gene Schulze, was principal of the elementary school in Humboldt, Kansas. The defendant, Richard Coykendall, was a patron of the school district. The plaintiff filed his petition setting forth 13 slanderous statements alleged to have been made by the "defendant in the month of June, 1973, in conversations with various members of the Humboldt community." The plaintiff further alleged that "on July 2, 1973, the defendant published the same allegations in a complaint in writing filed with the Board of Education of Unified School District No. 258." Both of these allegations in the petition were followed by further allegations that they were wholly false, prompted by malice, and that plaintiff was injured in his reputation and business.
The thirteen defamatory statements set forth in the petition need not be copied in this opinion. Suffice it to say they imputed to the plaintiff neglect of his duties as principal of the school and other actions which would indicate lack of capacity and fitness to properly perform his professional duties as a public school principal.
The defendant filed answer denying that the oral statements were spoken to members of the Humboldt community. He admitted filing the written complaint with the board and requesting a hearing. He alleged the statements were true, made without malice in the public interest, and were privileged. He further denied that plaintiff was damaged.
The defendant then filed a motion for summary judgment alleging the petition shows on its face that said statements were absolutely privileged and that a hearing was held by the Board of Education on the complaint and the statements contained therein were found to be true. He further alleged that the petition did not state a claim upon which relief could be granted. This latter ground appears to be based upon a claim that the petition did not set forth essential details of the slander, such as where, when and to whom a particular statement was made. This motion was overruled.
The defendant, in an effort to obtain the details of plaintiff's claims, deposed the plaintiff. The plaintiff was asked the name or names of those persons to whom each particular slanderous statement was made. He stated he did not know.
Thereafter defendant filed a renewed motion for summary judgment and asserted the complaint he filed was absolutely privileged. The complaint had been filed with the Board of Education. A public hearing was held. The board found the statements were true. As to the 13 slanderous statements the defendant claimed the petition failed to identify the names of those to whom a particular statement was alleged to have been made and that plaintiff in his deposition was unable or refused to identify those persons.
"1. Defendant is entitled to know the names of the person or persons to whom the alleged statements were spoken and the nature of their testimony relative to the allegations of the petition, and Plaintiff should be allowed fifteen (15) days to provide such information to Defendant's counsel.
"2. The question of absolute privilege should be resolved as a matter of law before the matter of trial is further considered and Plaintiff be allowed fifteen (15) days to provide further memorandum on this question."
Six days later in response to the court's order the plaintiff filed a rather lengthy memorandum. The details of filing the written complaint with the Board of Education were set forth, giving the date, the names of those on the board, and referring to the written complaint. However, as to the slanderous statements alleged in the petition to have been published in June, 1973, 12 witnesses were named but plaintiff stated he could not specify the exact dates, times and places any particular statement was made.
"1. The failure of plaintiff to so specify what alleged defamatory statements were made by defendant to specified persons and at certain places and times is fatal to a cause of action based on such general allegations as made by plaintiff. Haag v. Cooley, 33 Kan. 387, Stidham v. State Bank, 126 Kan. 336; Morehead v. Rush, 187 Kan. 624.
"2. Defendant's motion for summary judgment is sustained and the action is dismissed at costs of plaintiff. The Clerk is to enter judgment accordingly forthwith."
Although the trial court treated the alleged slander in June, 1973, and the alleged libel on July 2, 1973, on the same basis in the order, we do not believe they can be disposed of on the same basis. As to the libel charge the contents of the complaint, the date of filing, the names of the members of the Board of Education, and the place of filing were adequately disclosed. We will consider the libel charge later.
We turn to the ruling on the slander charge. Appellant contends the court erred because in the state of Kansas we now have notice pleading. The cases relied on by the court were prior to that change in pleading.
Prior to notice pleading in this state a petition for defamation had to state when, where and to whom the alleged defamatory words were spoken or published. It was held a petition must state the alleged defamatory words spoken or published, the names of those persons to whom they were published and the time and place of publication. ( Haag v. Cooley, 33 Kan. 387, 6 P. 585; Stidham v. State Bank, 126 Kan. 336, 268 P. 106; Morehead v. Rush, 187 Kan. 624, 358 P.2d 752.) In Haag it is held that a petition which fails to disclose these facts in an action for defamation is subject to a motion to make definite and certain. In Stidham it is held that on failure to do so the action is subject to dismissal. The Stidham case relied on Anderson v. Denison Clay Co., 104 Kan. 766, 180 P. 797, in which it is held that when a party fails to comply with an order to make definite and certain the action may be dismissed. In Haag the reason given for requiring a more definite statement in an action for defamation is that without this information it is much more difficult, if not impossible, for the defendant to prepare for his defense.
"If a pleading to which a responsive pleading is permitted is so vague or ambiguous that a party cannot reasonably be required to frame a responsive pleading, he may move for a more definite statement before interposing his responsive pleadings. The motion shall point out the defects complained of and the details desired. If the motion is granted and the order of the judge is not obeyed within ten (10) days after notice of the order or within such time as the court may fix, the judge may strike the pleading to which the motion was directed or make such order as he deems just."
The defendant in this case did not proceed under this section nor did the judge refer to the section as basis for his ruling.
The new rules of civil procedure did not change the reasons for requiring a definite statement in libel and slander actions. It is desirable to determine each specific incident which gives rise to an action. In this case thirteen separate slanderous statements were alleged. The name or names of those to whom the statements were made were not given. A slander involves only one act, the speaking of words and the hearing and understanding of them by third persons. Each such instance gives rise to a distinct claim. (50 Am.Jur.2d, Libel and Slander, § 404, pp. 924, 925.) Under the pleadings, the deposition and the memorandum furnished by plaintiff it was impossible for the defendant to determine whether he was called upon to defend against 13 separate acts of slander involving 13 separate third persons or one act of slander consisting of the speaking of thirteen statements to one or more third persons at one time and place.
We see no good reason to change the rules stated in Haag and Stidham. Fairness to the defendant would seem to require that this information be made available to him to prepare his defense. We hold a petition for libel and slander must set forth the alleged defamatory words spoken or published, the names of those persons to whom they were spoken or published and the time and place of their publication.
When a petition for slander or libel fails to set forth the necessary information as stated in Syl. ¶ 2 of this opinion and the plaintiff fails to comply with an order of the court for a more definite statement the action may be dismissed or a summary judgment may be entered in favor of defendant on those separate counts for which the necessary information is not given.
In the present case the motion for summary judgment had the effect of a motion for a more definite statement authorized by K.S.A. 1975 Supp. 60-212 ( e) in that plaintiff was directed to furnish the necessary information within 15 days after the order on the renewed motion for summary judgment. An examination of both the plaintiff's deposition and the memorandum indicates that plaintiff failed or refused to disclose this necessary information. The judgment for defendant was proper as to the claim or claims of slander.
The defendant-appellee seeks to uphold the summary judgment on the libel claim because he claims the filing of the complaint with the Board of Education was absolutely privileged. He contends that, since the complaint was filed with the Board of Education and led to a hearing and determination that the charges were true, the matter cannot again be litigated. The appellee relies on Clear Water Truck Co., Inc. v. M. Bruenger Co., Inc., 214 Kan. 139, 519 P.2d 682, for this claim of absolute privilege. We do not believe that the issues here presented could have been determined by the school board.
The complaint filed with the board concerned the tenure of the plaintiff, a public school employee. The hearing before that board resulted in a finding that the plaintiff was guilty of unprofessional acts and unbecoming conduct "as alleged in the complaint." An order that plaintiff be reprimanded was issued.
In the Clear Water Truck Co., Inc., case the claim of absolute privilege was based upon an allegedly libelous statement under oath filed in a proceeding before the Interstate Commerce Commission. The libelous statement was obtained and filed in connection with a motion to reopen a hearing on application for a carrier's permit. The libelous statement was in the form of an affidavit of a third party asserting that previous testimony obtained by the plaintiff at the hearing was false. This court determined that the so-called libelous material was published "in office", or in other words was published by a litigant in a quasi-judicial proceeding before the Interstate Commerce Commission. We believe appellee's reliance upon the above case is misplaced.
Absolute privilege is recognized in cases where the public service or the administration of justice requires complete immunity as in legislative, executive or judicial proceedings, the occasion for the immunity being not so much for those engaged as for the promotion of the public welfare. See Munsell v. Ideal Food Stores, 208 Kan. 909, 920, 494 P.2d 1063, and Stice v. Beacon Newspaper Corporation, 185 Kan. 61, 64, 340 P.2d 396.
We do not believe that a hearing before a local school board on a complaint filed by a patron against a public school employee which results in administering a reprimand to the employee can be considered a quasi-judicial proceeding as defined in Clear Water Truck Co., Inc. v. M. Bruenger Co., Inc., supra, and other Kansas cases.
So it becomes necessary to determine the nature and effect of the privilege which existed in the present case in order to determine what issues, if any, may have remained unresolved.
In the petition filed in our present case a conditional privilege attached owing to the public interest in school matters. It was necessary for the plaintiff to allege that the publication was false and that it was prompted by malice on the part of the defendant. These allegations were made by plaintiff. The defendant denied they were false and denied they were prompted by malice. It appears that there do remain genuine triable issues of material fact and that defendant was not entitled on the record to a judgment as a matter of law. (See K.S.A. 60-256 [ c], and Bud Jennings Carpets Draperies, Inc. v. Greenhouse, 210 Kan. 92, 499 P.2d 1096.) Regardless of the difficulty of proof in this case of a conditionally privileged publication, the plaintiff should be afforded an opportunity to prove the publication was made with knowledge that the defamatory statement was false or made with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not.
That part of the district court's order entering summary judgment in favor of defendant on the claim or claims of slander is affirmed. The part of the district court's order entering summary judgment in favor of defendant on the claim of libel is reversed and the case is remanded for further proceedings in accordance with the opinions expressed herein.

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