Hanlon v. Davis

ALPERT, Judge.

The modern law of defamation is fraught with perplexities. This case will illustrate some of them.

In this defamation action Edward V. Hanlon, appellant, prevailed following a jury trial in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. The jury, however, awarded appellant only nominal damages. Appellant then noted this appeal, alleging that trial court errors severely prejudiced him on the issue of damages. Appellant raises two issues:

I. Whether the court erred in excluding as hearsay testimony on the damage to appellant’s reputation caused by the libelous document.

II. Whether…