Legal Document

401 U.S. 295 91 Supreme Court Reporter 628 28 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 57 OCALA STAR-BANNER CO. et al. Petitioners,v.Leonard DAMRON. Number 118. Argued Dec. 17, 1970. Decided Feb. 24, 1971. Syllabus Petitioner newspaper published a false story that respondent, then mayor and candidate for county tax assessor, had been charged with perjury in federal court, respondent sued libel. The judge instructed the jury charge was libelous per se could recover damages without showing malice. awarded compensatory damages. denied newspaper's motion new trial on basis of 'actual malice' test New York Times company versus Sullivan, 376 254, 84 710, 11 686, ground article did not refer to respondent's official conduct. Florida District Appeal affirmed, holding rule aply. Held: A criminal conduct against public or office, no matter how remote time place, is always 'relevant his fitness office' purposes applying knowing falsehood reckless disregard truth. Monitor Patriot Roy, 265, 621, 35. Pp. 299—301. 221 So.2d 459, reversed remanded. Harold baron Wahl, Jacksonville, Fla., petitioners. Wallace Dunn, Ocala, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 Ocala Star-Banner Co., petitioner this case, publishes small daily serving four counties rural Florida. On April 18, 1966, Star Banner printed effect Leonard Damron, Crystal River Citrus County office court perjury, case held over until following term court.1 This false. any crime nor involving him over, but substantially accurate as brother, James Damron.2 Two weeks later defeated election assessor. 2 He filed present suit Circuit Marion County, Florida, alleging 'libelous se,' it caused 'irreparable reputation, an individual, officer, businessman.' asked $50,000 $500,000 punitive At trial, deny wholly explained error result 'mental aberration' by one paper's area editors. editor working paper little more than month. testified he run several stories about political activities never heard brother James. When local reporter telephoned story, correctly identifying protagonist inadvertently changed name. presented evidence tending cast doubt explanation. 3 close evidence, moved directed verdict issue liability, granted motion. went damages, instructions which included following: 4 'The instructs Jury you need consider whether libel has committed there must be finding favor Plaintiff accordance other given * You are made libelous, se, created presumption damage if overcome offered parties proof general preponderance cannot award anything nominal Plaintiff. believe from entitled Defendants, addition any, may have—may recover, may, hereinafter stated, when malice shown implied. implied inferred where felony imputed In words, reasonably satisfied Defendants Plaintiff, guilty, infer maliciously necessary prove express ill-will order warrant Plaintiff.' 5 Damron $22,000 failed 6 arguing should have sent under laid down 686. cases 'relating officials figures their position applicable cause action founded upon publication reference offices sought affirmed judgment, that: 7 'An examination defamatory gave rise reveals plaintiff's manner performed duties were inaccuracy here involved; and, hence, does come within protection afforded announced case. It follows therefore unnecessary plaintiff show malice.' 461. 8 refused review 231 822, we certiorari constitutional issues presented.3 397 1073, 90 1524, 25 808. 9 As River, question 'public official' meaning supra. such, clearly fell 'prohibits recovering relating unless proves statement malice'—that is, knowledge not.' Id., at 279—280, 726. status same rule. 10 Yet clear applied himself resolved newspaper. since 'libelous, its only task determine Since permitted either knew truth falsity, judgment some saying apply particular question. Henry Collins, 380 356, 85 992, 13 892; Curtis Publishing Butts, 388 130, 142—143, 158, 87 1975, 1984—1985, 1993, 18 1094 (opinion Harlan, J.); Greenbelt Cooperative Assn. Bresler, 398 6, 1537, 26 6. urges us distinguishing exist, because applies 'official conduct,'4 indictment during testimony civil rights purely 'private' contention disposed our decision today candidate, Public discussion qualifications elective presents what probably strongest possible application And can conceive, post indicted relevant office. Cf. Garrison Louisiana, 379 64, 77, 209, 217, 125. 12 First Fourteenth Amendments require reversal judgment. remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. so ordered. 14 Case 15 WHITE, concurring. 16 Inevitably, 686 (1964), imposing slander plaintiffs burden specified situations will extending lies falsehoods which, though neither reckless, do severe personal reputation. Amendment construed, however, merit badges intrepid mistaken careless reporting. Misinformation itself; standing alone antithetical calculated lie. 75, 125 (1964). Its substance contributes nothing intelligent decisionmaking citizens officials; achieves gratuitous injury. sole protecting publishers who spread information otherwise would too often suppressed. That innocent sometimes protected ensure access noted before, St. Amant Thompson, 390 727, 732, 88 1323, 20 262 (1968), well thought repeated Time, Incorporated Pape, 279 292, 633, 640, 45. appeared three-column head ('Damron Passed Over To Next Term') follows: 'INGLIS—A charging garage owner passed Federal after entered guilty plea before Judge Harrold Carswell Gainesville. 'Damron grand Tallahassee last January 1964 resulted $65,000 being Yankeetown couple. 'Mrs. Gail Finley alleged Levy Deputy Sammy Cason slammed brakes causing her injure neck October 1962. 'Cason Walter Beckham arrest Mrs. Lean Rich Sill, allegedly Izaac Walton Lodge. FC 'According officials, Finleys interfered officers, arrested interfering arrest. 'A conviction obtained upheld through appeals State followed old, little-used statute former sheriff W. Turner violation rights. seen brace late 1957 early 1958 years prior incident, numerous witnesses, summoned plaintiff, testimony, previously worn brace. released $2,000 bond, marshals Jan. 27.' two retractions election. argument 'admitted liability' applicability properly us, rejected both state appellate considered raised. WHYY, Glassboro, 393 117, 119, 89 286, 287, 21 242; Raley Ohio, 360 423, 436, 79 1257, 1265, 1344; Manhattan Life insurance Cohen, 234 123, 134, 34 874, 877, 58 L.Ed. 1245. 283 n. 23, Both rested conclusion partly nowhere mentioned pursued theory here.

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