Case Name: Haws v. Robert L. Stanford
Court: Tennessee Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Tennessee
Decision Date: 1858-09
Citations: 1 Unrep. Tenn. Cas. 137
Docket Number: 
Parties: Tm Haws , v. Robert L. Stanford.
Judges: 
Reporter: Unreported Tennessee Cases
Volume: 1
Pages: 137–137

Head Matter:
Tm Haws , v. Robert L. Stanford.
LIBEL. — SLANDER. Defence. Mitigation of damages. Evidence,
The defendant in an action for a libel or Blander, cannot’show by way. of defence that the plaintiff had previously libelled or slandered him j hut such evidence may be heard in mitigation of damages.

Opinion:
Garuthers J.,
delivered tbe opinion of tbe Court:
There is no error in tbe rulings of tbe Court, on tbe questions of evidence, or in tbe charge in tbe case to tbe jury. Tbe defendant in an action for a libel or slander, cannot defend himself by proving that tbe plaintiff bad previously libelled or slandered him; but that matter is only good in mitigation of damages, because of tbe excitement produced by it.
Slander, defence to action for, see Watson v. Nicholas, 6 Humph., Coulter v. Stewart, 2 Yerg. 225; Wilson v. Nations, 2 Yerg. 211; Lambert v. Pharis, 3 Head, 662; Bell v. Farsnworth, 11 Humph. 608; Birchfield v. Russell, 3 Cold. 228.
Mitigation of damages, Hancock v. Stephens, 11 Humph. 507; West v. Walker, 2 Swan, 32; Shirley v. Keathey, 4 Cold. 29.