Legal Document

380 U.S. 356 85 Supreme Court Reporter 992 13 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 892 Aaron E. HENRYv.Benford C. COLLINS. HENRY versus Thomas or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 PEARSON. Nos. 89, 90. March 29, 1965. Robert L. Carter, Barbara Atlantic Morris, Jack Young and Frank D. Reeves, for petitioner. W. O. Luckett, respondents. PER CURIAM. 1 The petitions certiorari are granted. judgments reversed. 2 After petitioner's arrest on a charge of disturbing the peace, he issued statement to effect that this was result 'a diabolical plot,' in which respondents, County Attorney Chief Police Clarksdale, were implicated. Respondents brought suits libel obtained jury verdicts. Mississippi affirmed. Miss., 158 So.2d 28; 695. 3 following instructions requested by approved trial judge, read jury: 4 'The court instructs plaintiff malice does not necessarily mean hatred ill will, but may consist merely culpable recklessness wilful wanton disregard rights interests person defamed.' 5 jury, also instructed, at respondents' request, 6 '* * (I)f you believe from evidence defendant published false charging his plot *, infer malice, as defined these instructions, falsity libelous nature statement, although legal presumption arise fact question is libelous. It determine fact, if have first determined it false, whether actually made with malice.' 7 might well understood allow recovery showing intent inflict harm, rather than harm through falsehood. See Garrison Louisiana, 379 64, 73, 209, 215, 125. constitutional guarantees (prohibit) public official recovering damages defamatory falsehood relating conduct unless proves knowledge reckless not.' New York Times company Sullivan, 376 254, 279—280, 84 710, 725—726, 11 686. 8 For reasons set out their respective concurring opinions 293—305, 733—739, 686, 79—88, 222, 125, Mr. Justice Black, Douglas Goldberg concur reversal judgments, error ground would violate First Fourteenth Amendments subject petitioner any judgment solely because publication criticisms against performance duties. 9 Reversed.

Classification Label: 2