Court Opinion

ID: 3380180
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-05 18:27:00.787352+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:45:24.399827
License: Public Domain

On a former appeal we reviewed an order of the trial court holding legally insufficient four counts of plaintiff's declaration. Two of these counts were based on an alleged invasion of plaintiff's right of privacy or, as some authorities express it, the right to be let alone. It was our view that the challenged order and final judgment for defendant below were erroneous as to count two. This count is set out verbatim in *Page 42 
our original opinion. Cason v. Baskin, 155 Fla. 198 (text pp. 200-205), 20 So.2d 244-246. Mr. Justice BROWN (now retired), then speaking for the Court, pointed out that an action for the invasion of the right of privacy had certain limitations prescribed by the fundamental law of both the State and Nation, thereby recognizing the right of the general public to be protected in receiving news and information, likewise the freedom of speech and the press, together with the right of every person to speak or write his sentiments on all subjects. Section 13 of the Declaration of Rights.
There was not presented for the consideration of the Court on the former appeal, neither did we attempt to set out or define, just what defense or defenses that could or may be interposed by a defendant to an action for the invasion of the right of privacy, but on the subject, we, in part, said (text 155 Fla. 220):
"On the record as it stands, it would be inappropriate for the court to now adjudicate the question as to whether the book `Cross Creek' including that portion of it quoted in plaintiff's declaration, is one dealing with matters `of general or public interest.' That is a question which is not squarely presented by this record. It is defensive matter, unless it so clearly appears from the plaintiff's declaration as to show that plaintiff has no cause of action, in which case it could be reached by demurrer. And when pleaded as a defense, it frequently presents a mixed question of law and fact, as shown by the authorities. It is true, the first count of the declaration alleges plaintiff's conception of the nature and characted of defendant's book, but we have held that the trial court was, for another reason, free from error in striking down the first court. Nor is the question presented here by demurrer, and it is very doubtful if it could have been so presented. Indeed, there is nothing in this record to show that the trial court ever considered or ruled upon this question."
The jury in the court below heard the evidence adduced by the respective parties in support of the several issues made by plaintiff's second count and defendant's pleas 1, 3, 11, 14, 16, and amended 17th. The jury heard oral argument of counsel, *Page 43 
and after being instructed by the trial court upon the applicable law, returned a verdict for the defendant and plaintiff appealed.
It is contended by counsel for appellant that the trial court erred when charging or instructing the jury on the law applicable to certain issues made by the plea of not guilty of the defendant directed to count two of plaintiff's declaration. Instructions complained of are viz:
"The defendant has filed to the plaintiff's declaration six pleas, the first being the plea of not guilty. This plea deniesonly the breach of duty or wrongful act alleged, and thedamages alleged to have been suffered by the plaintiff.
"In other words, this plea denies that the defendant has violated the plaintiff's right of privacy either maliciously, or otherwise, and it denies that the defendant has caused theplaintiff any damages whatsoever.
"The plaintiff alleges in her declaration that the defendant `willfully and maliciously' wrote about her in the book, `Cross Creek.' `Willfully' means done intentionally or on purpose. `Maliciously' means either that the defendant was motivated by ill will or spite toward the plaintiff in committing the act complained of, or that she did so being well aware at the time that she was deliberately, wantonly, and unlawfully violating a legal right of the plaintiff.
"`Malice' being a state of mind, you must determine its existence on the part of the defendant in writing and publishing what she did about the plaintiff in `Cross Creek' not only from the writing itself, but also from all the surrounding facts and circumstances appearing from the evidence in the case.
"`Malice'; however, is not an essential element of the plaintiff's case, and she may recover even though you find there was no malice on the part of the defendant. The question of malice only affects the amount of damages the plaintiff may recover." (Emphasis supplied).
Section 52.19 Fla. Stats. 1941 (FSA) provides: "In actions of torts, the plea of not guilty shall operate as a denial only of the breach of duty or wrongful act alleged to have been committed by the defendant, and not of the facts stated *Page 44 
in the inducement, and no other defense than such denial shall be admissible under this plea. . . ." It is settled law that the plea of not guilty in a tort action operates only as a denial of the breach of duty or the wrongful act as alleged. Great Atlantic  Pacific Tea Co. v. Dallas, 141 Fla. 206,192 So. 867; Thomas v. Western Union Tel. Co., 129 Fla. 155,176 So. 122. The instructions here challenged by the trial court on the issue made by a plea of not guilty in a tort action are viz: "This plea denies only the breach of the duty or wrongful act alleged, and the damages alleged to have been suffered bythe plaintiff. In other words, this plea denies that the defendant has violated the plaintiff's right of privacy either maliciously or otherwise, and it denies that the defendant hascaused the plaintiff any damages whatsoever." (Emphasis supplied). It must be admitted that the challenged instructions go further than authorized by statute or the decisions of this Court. Such instructions preclude a finding for the plaintiff of nominal damages by the jury, contrary to our holding in Tampa Electric Co. v. Ferguson, 96 Fla. 375, 118 So. 211. We cannot hold that the instructions as given constitute reversible error, but on retrial the objectionable portions of the charge may be deleted.
Counsel for appellant demurred to plea 14 and contended (a) the facts alleged were legally insufficient; (b) it was repetitious; (c) it tendered irrelevant and immaterial issues. The trial court overruled the demurrer and motion to strike this plea, which is viz:
"14. The plaintiff was for many years prior to said publication of the book `Cross Creek' an intimate friend and frequent companion of the defendant author and well knew that the defendant author was constantly and continuously engaged in writing books and short stories about the country in which and the people among whom they lived. The plaintiff frequently assisted the defendant author in gathering material for her literary productions and otherwise promoting the productions of such books and stories. By reason of said facts and circumstances plaintiff knew or should have known that she might reasonably appear as a character or prototype in one or more of the author's books or stories. Plaintiff invited *Page 45 
defendant author to accompany plaintiff on the trip, the experiences of which are narrated in the said publication of which plaintiff complains, for the specific purpose of gathering material for literary productions by the defendant author without appraising defendant author of plaintiff's desire, as alleged in said count, to be excluded from any book or story in which the defendant author might use the material gathered on such trip with plaintiff and with plaintiff's assistance."
It was the view of the trial court that plea 14supra set up the implied consent of the plaintiff to be character by defendant in "Cross Creek" as set out in count two of plaintiff's declaration and her consent thereto had been obtained and for this reason the plea was a complete bar to plaintiff's cause of action. We hold that plaintiff's consent to and approval of the characterization as set out in "Cross Creek" is a bar to the action and is a question of fact for the jury under appropriate instructions. In the case of Thayer v. Worcester Post Co., 284 Mass. 160 187 N.E. 292, it appears that a woman posed for her picture to be taken, along with others, and after the same had been published she sued in an action for the invasion of privacy and the court held that she could not recover because she had approved and consented to the publication by posing for her picture to be taken. This assignment is without merit.
The trial court sustained Pleas 3 and 16 against plaintiff's motion to strike and demurrer on various grounds. The pleas are viz:
                                 PLEA 3
"3. They deny and say it is not true that `before and at the time of the publication complained of `plaintiff has ever shunned and avoided notoriety and publicity, has ever cherished and held as precious the privacy of her personal life and of her acts and sayings in all her social relations;' and defendants allege that plaintiff, before said publication, constantly took an active and aggressive interest in the following listed public affairs of the State of Florida, and of the communities in which she lived and thereby invited public interest in and comment about her acts, doings and sayings: Census taker and representative of the Federal Emergency *Page 46 
Relief Administration in the employ of the United States Government; visitor in employ of Florida State Welfare Board in Alachua, Putnam, St. Johns and other counties in the State of Florida; business woman; fraternal order, holding office in local lodge and attending district meetings; church; school; civic; social; law enforcement; politics, particularly in primary elections; selection and removal of teachers in graded schools and others."
                                 PLEA 16
"16. The plaintiff is not known or recognized in the community in which she lives as the personality described in the said court, but on the contrary is known and recognized among her friends and acquaintances in Island Grove, Cross Creek and elsewhere as a forthright, outspoken person of strong and definite convictions, aggressively interested in all matters of general public interest and given to the frequent and vigorous expression of her views on such questions privately and publicly; by reason whereof defendant author had reason to believe and did believe that plaintiff would be pleased by the portrayal of her in `Cross Creek' which defendant author reasonably considered to be a correct and favorable presentation, and had no reason to believe it would offend or injure plaintiff."
Counsel for appellants contend that the two pleas, supra, are unprecedented in Florida pleading and practice. The language appearing in the Court's order, at page 21 of the transcript, sustaining the pleas, is cited by counsel, viz: "The matter in the book `Cross Creek' complained of by plaintiff relates to her act and sayings while employed as census enumerator, although it can hardly be said that it was written for the purpose of apprising the public as to her (plaintiff's) fitness for such position. Employment as mere census enumerator does not make one a public personage so as to impair his right of privacy." . . . "Plaintiff's combined activities as F. E. R. A. employee social worker with the State Welfare Board, as a business person and participant in the social, fraternal, cultural and civic affairs of her community, as alleged in said (3 and 16) pleas do not make her a public *Page 47 
personage within the contemplation of the law of privacy so as to thus impair her right of privacy."
In commenting on Plea 3 to the jury, the trial court said:
"The third plea is a plea in mitigation of damages and not a complete bar or defense to plaintiff's action. Its effect is to put the plaintiff to proof of those allegations in her declaration which are denied by the plea and to enable the defendant to submit proof showing the various alleged activities of the plaintiff, in order to advise the jury as to the nature, character, personality, and activities of the plaintiff, and as to her station in life and the general environment in which she lived; all, so that the jury can properly appraise the damages suffered by the plaintiff if you find in favor of the plaintiff."
The Court's comments on Plea 16 to the jury are:
"The effect of the sixteenth plea is to deny malice on the part of the defendant. This plea is not a complete bar on defense to the plaintiff's action, but if you find from the evidence the facts alleged therein to be true then the defendant would not be guilty of any malice, and the plaintiff would not be entitled to recover exemplary or punitive damages in the event you find for the plaintiff."
Our study of the record suggests the conclusion that the court below, in ruling upon the legal sufficiency of Pleas 3 and 16, supra, recognized certain defenses to tort actions to recover for the invasion of the right of privacy. Thefirst being "Who is a public personage?" The answer is any person who engages in any pursuit or occupation, by his accomplishments, fame, or mode of life, or by adoption of a profession or calling which gives the public a legitimate interest in his doings, his affairs and his character, may be said to have become a public personage, and he thereby relinquishes or loses at least a part of his right of privacy. William James Sidis v. F. R. Publishing Corporation,113 Fed. 2d 806; writ of certiorari denied in 311 U.S. 711,85 L.Ed. 462, 61 S.Ct. 393, 138 A.L.R. 15, and Annotations, p. 58; 41 Am. Jur. 937, par. 18. The authorities hold that the following, in part, fall within the above rule: (a) Candidates for office; (b) high officials of a State or Federal Government; (c) famous baseball players; (d) singers; (e) dancers; (f) teachers; (g) writers; (h) individuals convicted *Page 48 
or charged with crime; (i) musicians; and many others. We agree with the trial court's comments that Plea No. 3 failed to allege sufficient facts to make plaintiff a public personage. Defendant should be permitted, however, to amend Plea No. 3, if desired, so as to come within the rule supra.
Second: The right of privacy does not prohibit the publication of matter which is of a legitimate public or general interest. It is true that at some point the public interest in obtaining information becomes dominant over the individual's desire of privacy. It is recognized that the truth may be spoken, written or printed about all matters of a public nature, as well as matters of private nature, in which the public has a legitimate interest. William James Sidis v. F. R. Publishing Corp., supra; 41 Am. Jur. 935, par. 14.
The right of privacy stated by Warren and Brandeis, 4 Harvard L. Review, pp. 193 to 220, and at text page 214 says:
"The right to privacy does not prohibit any publication of matter which is of public or general interest . . . The design of the law must be to protect those persons with whose affairs the community has no legitimate concern, from being dragged into an undesirable and undesired publicity and to protect all persons whomsoever; their position or station, from having matters which they may properly prefer to keep private, made public against their will."
It is admitted that some of the most common means of invasion of the rights of privacy are viz: (a) the unauthorized use of portraits of persons; (b) unauthorized humorous cartoons and sale for profit and gain; (c) sale of X-ray photographs of plaintiff's abdomen; (d) publication of private diary; (e) personal letters of a private nature, etc. The defendant should be allowed an opportunity to amend Plea No. 16, if desired, so as to come within the last stated rule.
Counsel for appellant attacked Plea No. 11 by demurrer and motion to strike, and this plea was by the trial court sustained. It is viz:
"The portrayal of the plaintiff in the book "Cross Creek" of which plaintiff complains was of such a nature that neither the author nor any reasonable person could reasonably anticipate *Page 49 
it might or probably would cause mental distress and injury to any one possessed of ordinary feelings and intelligence situated in like circumstances as the plaintiff. By reason whereof said publication did not constitute an actionable invasion of plaintiff's alleged privacy."
The trial court charged the jury that Plea No. 11 is a plea in bar: "If the defendant sustains this plea by a preponderance of the evidence then your verdict should be for the defendant."
Defendant's 11th Plea fails to traverse or deny any allegation of plaintiff's second count, but confesses that defendant's portrayal of the plaintiff in her book "Cross Creek" was of such a nature that the author nor any reasonable person could reasonably anticipate the mental distress and injury to the feelings of the plaintiff or any one possessed of ordinary feelings and intelligence situated in like circumstances as the plaintiff. Therefore, the publication of plaintiff by defendant in "Cross Creek" does not constitute an actionable invasion of plaintiff's privacy. Counsel for plaintiff contend that the law of the case was settled as to the sufficiency of count two of the declaration on the former appeal and Plea No. 11 in effect repudiates and holds for naught our conclusion as to the sufficiency of count two stating a prima facie case. We in part said in Cason v. Baskin, supra (text 155 Fla. 207):
"Our conclusion is that, in spite of the fact that the publication complained of, considered as a whole, portrays the plaintiff as a fine and attractive personality, it is nevertheless a rather vivid and intimate character sketch, and the allegations of count two taken as a whole if proven to be true would make out a prima facie case of an invasion of the right of privacy such as would authorize the recovery of at least nominal damages, unless this case falls within one of the recognized exceptions to our limitations upon that right, both of which questions we shall presently discuss."
The defendant's 17th amended plea was by the plaintiff attacked by both motion to strike and demurrer, but the trial court, in an appropriate order, sustained the same. This plea, in effect, alleged that the defendant had engaged in journalistic and literary work and since 1928 had written books and *Page 50 
stories about Florida and the lives of people in the section of Florida where she lived, and these had been widely read; that her book "The Yearling" was popular and had been widely read and praised and was published in ten American editions. The Book of the Month Club selected "The Yearling" as one of the best books published. It was appraised as "a Minor American Classic." It was published in the native language of several foreign countries. The defendant reasonably believed that the public would be interested in her autobiography covering the period of time that she was in the section of Florida (around Island Grove) when engaged in writing her book "Cross Creek."
That her book "Cross Creek" was published in 1942 and was well received and more widely read in the United States and England than had been her book "The Yearling." Its circulation was three times larger than "The Yearling" and was published in the Armed Services Edition. The comments on "Cross Creek" by the literary critics throughout the Armed Services were favorable and extensively received, especially as to the pen portrayal of the plaintiff. The quoted portions of the book about the plaintiff were of such a nature that it should not injure or offend plaintiff or any person of ordinary feelings and intelligence, situated in like circumstances as was plaintiff.
"The defendant author did not have reason to believe and did not apprehend that the publication of the portions of her said book quoted in said count could or would cause mental distress or injury to plaintiff. By reason whereof the defendants say that the things and people about which the defendant author wrote in said autobiography are matters of legitimate general public interest, and she was privileged to publish the matter complained of under Section 13 of the Declaration of Rights in the Constitution of the State of Florida."
In support of Plea 17, as amended, the court instructed the jury viz:
"By this plea the defendant in effect claims she has not violated plaintiff's right of privacy because under Section 13 of the Declaration of Rights of the Florida Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press, she was privileged to write *Page 51 
what she did about the plaintiff, under the circumstances alleged. But our Constitution also guarantees to the individual the right of liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and a remedy in the courts to every person for an injury done him in his person. Upon these guarantees the legal right of privacy is largely based.
"So it is, that in cases of this type frequently there arises a conflict between the right of the public to freedom of the press on the one hand and the right of the individual to privacy on the other. Neither right is absolute, and in matters in which the public has a legitimate interest the right to free expression is sometimes dominated over the individual's desire for privacy.
"By `legitimate public interest' is meant a widespread interest, not merely local in character; a genuine interest, not mere curiosity.
"If you find from a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant reasonably believed that the public would have, and that the public did have, a legitimate interest in the subject matter of the book "Cross Creek" because of the fame of the author and the literary merit and popularity of her works as a writer of books and short stories based on the section of Florida in which she lives and upon the lives of the people among whom she lives, and that it was reasonably necessary for the defendant to relate her experiences with certain of her neighbors and acquaintances in order to give a real and interesting account of her life in Florida covering the period mentioned in the book; then the Court charges you that the defendant was privileged to so write about these people in the book "Cross Creek" without subjecting herself to liability for so doing.
"This does not mean, however, that the defendant, under the mantel of `public interest,' could write whatever she pleased about these people regardless of how certain she was to offend or injure them. And if you find that the defendant had reason to believe and did apprehend that the matter so written and published concerning the plaintiff would cause mental distress and injury to the plaintiff, as a person of ordinary feelings and intelligence, situated in like *Page 52 
circumstances as the plaintiff, then the defendant would not be immune to liability for so doing."
It is our view that Plea 17, as amended, tenders irrelevant, immaterial and collateral issues. The autobiography of the defendant during the period she resided and was writing in the State of Florida cannot be a material issue in this controversy. The popularity and literary merits of her several writings, coupled with the favorable and unfavorable opinions of literary critics as to the merits or demerits thereof, at the most are but collateral issues. We hold (1) that the plea of not guilty is properly in the record; (2) Plea 14 permits or allows the defendant to establish the fact that plaintiff consented to and approved her characterization as set out in defendant's book, "Cross Creek"; (3) Plea 3 of defendant may be amended, if desired, so as to establish that the plaintiff (Miss Zelma Cason) is such a public personage as would give the general public a legitimate interest in her doings, character, and private affairs; (4) Plea 16 may be amended, if desired, so that the defendant may establish that the private life of the plaintiff is of such a legitimate public or general interest that it becomes dominant over her desire of privacy. 41 Am.Jur., pp. 923 to 951, Vol 4, Harvard Law Review, pp. 193 to 220; Reed v. Real Detective Publishing Co., 63 Ariz. 294,162 P.2d 133; William James Sidis v. F. R. Publishing Corporation, supra, and Annotations, 138 A. L. R., pp. 22 to 110.
I think the trial court erred in overruling plaintiff's demurrer to defendant's pleas 11 and 17, as amended, and that the judgment should be reversed and a new trial awarded.
ADAMS, J., concurs.