Kennenberg v. Neff
Supreme Court of Connecticut
Action to recover damages for slander, brought to the Superior Court in New London County where a demurrer to the complaint was overruled (Elmer, J.') and the case was afterwards tried to the jury before George W. Wheeler, J.; verdict and judgment for the plaintiff for $800 damages, and appeal by the defendant for alleged errors in the rulings and charge of the court. This was an action for slander.
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Action to recover damages for slander, brought to the Superior Court in New London County where a demurrer to the complaint was overruled (Elmer, J.') and the case was afterwards tried to the jury before George W. Wheeler, J.; verdict and judgment for the plaintiff for $800 damages, and appeal by the defendant for alleged errors in the rulings and charge of the court. This was an action for slander. The complaint on which the trial was had was as follows: “ 1. On August 25th, 1898, and at the time of the speaking of the words hereinafter complained of, it was naturally understood between the…
1Opinion of the CourtAndrews, C. J.
After the trial had commenced the court permitted the plaintiff to amend her complaint. This was clearly within its discretion. It appears that at the time the defendant took no objection, nor did she ask for any delay. We think she cannot now claim that there was error.
It is well established that any words imputing to a woman a breach of chastity are actionable as charging slander, without any further averment. Frisbie v. Fowler, 2 Conn. 707 ; Page v. Merwin, 54 id. 426, 434; Pollard v. Lyon, 91 U. S. 225.
The court instructed the jury that the words used by the defendant did charge the…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- Pollard v. LyonSupreme Court of the United States · 1876
- Frisbie v. FowlerSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1818
3Cited by2 opinions
- Ventresca v. KissnerSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1927
- Desanto v. DenicolaSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1923