Shumate v. Johnson Publishing Co.

VALLÉE, J.

Appeal by defendants from a judgment for plaintiff entered on a jury verdict in an action for libel.

“Jet” is a periodical with national circulation published weekly in Chicago by defendant Johnson Publishing Company. Defendant John H. Johnson is editor and publisher of “Jet.”

Plaintiff and Dr. Lincoln Shumate were married in June 1952. They were well-known Negro residents of Los Angeles. On April 23, 1953, plaintiff filed suit for separate maintenance against Dr. Shumate alleging adultery with a named white woman on a number of occasions. Dr. Shumate cross-complained for divorce,…