People for Ethical Treatment of Animals v. Bobby Berosini Ltd.

OPINION

By the Court,

Springer, J.:

In this litigation respondent Berosini claims that two animal rights organizations, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), and three individuals defamed him and invaded his privacy. Judgment was entered by the trial court on jury verdicts on the libel and invasion of privacy claims in the aggregate amount of $4.2 million. This appeal followed. We conclude that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury’s verdict and, accordingly, reverse the judgment.

The two independent claims, libel and invasion…