Bello v. Random House, Inc.

HOUSER, Commissioner.

The question for decision, concededly a case of first impression in this state, is whether a surviving relative has a cause of action under § 559.410, RSMo 1959, V.A. M.S., 1 for a malicious defamation, made public by printing, designed to blacken and vilify the memory of one who is dead. The question arises in this wise: Violette H. Bello, the surviving widow of Marino Bello, deceased, brought an action in the Circuit Court of Jackson County for $1,000,000 damages for libel against the publishers, distributors, a local seller and the author of the book “Harlow, an…