Opinion ID: 1286492
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Sufficient Evidence Of Actual Malice

Text: Finally, Thompson asks this court to overturn the jury verdict on the basis the trial evidence does not establish actual malice by clear and convincing evidence. To prevail at trial, Trooper Richmond had to show by clear and convincing evidence that at the time Thompson wrote to Tucker in the Governor's Office, he in fact had serious doubts as to the truth of whether Trooper Richmond touched him, unclipped his gun, and threatened to blow his brains out. In New York Times, the Supreme Court said it would make an independent examination of the record so as to assure ourselves that the judgment does not constitute a forbidden intrusion on the field of free expression. New York Times, 376 U.S. at 285, 84 S.Ct. at 729 (footnote omitted); accord Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union, 466 U.S. 485, 510-11, 104 S.Ct. 1949, 1964-65, 80 L.Ed.2d 502 (1984); Tilton v. Cowles Publishing Co., 76 Wash.2d 707, 720, 459 P.2d 8 (1969), cert. denied, 399 U.S. 927, 90 S.Ct. 2238, 26 L.Ed.2d 792 (1970). In reviewing a defamation case on appeal, then, this court must make an independent examination of the record to determine whether there is sufficient evidence of actual malice. The actual malice standard is subjective in the sense that it focuses on the defendant's knowledge that the statement is false or made with reckless disregard of its falsity. Margoles, 111 Wash.2d at 200, 760 P.2d 324. Thompson argues the evidence could not establish actual malice as a matter of law because: (1) Trooper Richmond's actions could have caused anyone in Thompson's position to interpret the events as Thompson did, (2) Thompson's statements are a rational interpretation of ambiguous actions and therefore not actionable, and (3) Thompson's version of the events are not inherently improbable. Clear and convincing evidence was presented that Trooper Richmond did not push Thompson or unclip his weapon. Hanson and Hahler, who had clear views of Thompson and Trooper Richmond, testified they did not see Trooper Richmond touch Thompson or unclip his weapon. Based on this direct evidence, a reasonable juror could have inferred that Thompson knew Trooper Richmond did not touch him or unclip his weapon. Also, clear and convincing evidence was presented that Trooper Richmond did not threaten to blow Thompson's brains out. The jury obviously gave great weight to Trooper Richmond's testimony. A reviewing court should respect credibility choices made by the factfinder even in defamation cases involving independent review. See Bose, 466 U.S. at 510, 104 S.Ct. at 1964-65. From this and the fact Thompson did not mention this allegation until after he lost in district court more than six months after the incident, a reasonable juror could have believed Thompson made this allegation with actual malice. Trooper Richmond has assigned error to the trial court's dismissal of his malicious prosecution and outrage claim on summary judgment in his brief to this court. [12] However, these issues were not raised in Thompson's petition for review, and Trooper Richmond did not raise them in his answer to the petition for review. As such, these issues are not before this court. RAP 13.7(b). We affirm the trial court and Court of Appeals in all respects. DURHAM, C.J., and GUY, MADSEN, TALMADGE and SANDERS, JJ., concur.