Shely v. Harney

NORVELL, Justice.

This is a libel action. William Shely and John Harney were opposing candidates for nomination to the office of sheriff of Nueces County in the Democratic run-off primary of 1938.

During the campaign, Harney and his political supporters circulated various articles and publications reflecting upon Shely’s administration as Sheriff of Nueces County, a position then held by Shely. Shely instituted this action for damages alleged to have resulted from the publications, naming Harney and others as defendants. Upon Shely’s death, Josephine Shely, widow of William Shely, and executor…