Farris v. Tvedten

Darrell Hickman, Justice.

The issue in this case is whether a defamatory letter was “published.” The trial court granted a motion to dismiss holding that there had been no publication of the letter. For purpose of argument it has to be conceded that the letter was libelous.

The appellant, Mrs. Louise Bariola Farris, is a nurse who practices at the Chicot Memorial Hospital in Lake Village. The appellee, Tom H. Tvedten, is a doctor who practices at the same hospital. Dr. Tvedten dictated the letter in question to a stenographer. It was addressed to Mrs. Farris at Box 16, Jennie, Arkansas. The…