Barnes v. Trundy
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine
Slander. The trial was before Shepley, C. J. The plaintiff alleges, that he is a trader of integrity and of good reputation; that the defendant, maliciously intending, &c., in the presence and hearing of many good citizens, falsely and maliciously uttered the following false and scandalous words, of and concerning the plaintiff j viz : — “ It would make no difference whether the government, (meaning the government of the United States of America,) got the goods, (meaning the…
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Slander. The trial was before Shepley, C. J. The plaintiff alleges, that he is a trader of integrity and of good reputation; that the defendant, maliciously intending, &c., in the presence and hearing of many good citizens, falsely and maliciously uttered the following false and scandalous words, of and concerning the plaintiff j viz : — “ It would make no difference whether the government, (meaning the government of the United States of America,) got the goods, (meaning the goods of the plaintiff, seized by the said government on a libel against the plaintiff,) or Barnes, (meaning the…
1Opinion of the CourtShepley, C. J.
Certain doctrines respecting the maintenance of actions for slanderous words Spoken, may be regarded as so fully established as to preclude further debate or controversy.
Words in themselves actionable must charge some punishable offence, impute some disgraceful disease, or be spoken of the person in relation to some profession, occupation, or official station in which he was employed.
Words in themselves not actionable may be the foundation of an action by reason of some special damage occasioned by them.
To maintain an action on the ground that words spoken of a person with reference to his…
2Cited by12 opinions
- Brown v. KittermanSupreme Court of Missouri · 1969
- Saunders v. VanPeltSupreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1985
- Picard v. BrennanSupreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1973
- Hollenbeck v. RistineSupreme Court of Iowa · 1898
- Dillard v. ShattuckNew Mexico Supreme Court · 1932
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