Coates v. Wallace
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Appeal, No. 38, Nov. T., 1896, by defendant, from judgment of C. P. Delaware Co., Sept. T., 1894, No. 125, on verdict for plaintiff. Trespass for alleged libelous publication. The facts sufficiently appear in the opinion of the Superior Court. Verdict and judgment for plaintiff for $500. Defendants appealed.
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Appeal, No. 38, Nov. T., 1896, by defendant, from judgment of C. P. Delaware Co., Sept. T., 1894, No. 125, on verdict for plaintiff. Trespass for alleged libelous publication. The facts sufficiently appear in the opinion of the Superior Court. Verdict and judgment for plaintiff for $500. Defendants appealed. Errors assigned among others were (6) in overruling the defendants’ offer to prove the sources of the information from which William E. Tribit, the city editor, who inserted the article in the newspaper, derived his information of the truth of the article, as follows: (William E. Tribit,…
1Opinion of the Court
Opinion bt
Smith, J.,
A newspaper article, published first in the Media Ledger, and reprinted in the Chester Times, a newspaper published by tbe defendants, contained tbe following passage concerning tbe plaintiff : “ Ex-mayor Coates, bis opponent, when mayor of the city of Chester, did violate the law and take fees to which be was not entitled.” Mr. Coates, contending that this statement was false and libelous, brought this action. The defense is that the publication is privileged.
The essentials of a privileged communication are well settled. “A communication, to be privileged, must be made on…
2Cases cited9 opinions
- Briggs v. GarrettSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1886
- Conroy v. Pittsburgh TimesSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1891
- Munns v. De NemoursU.S. Circuit Court for the District of Pennsylvania · 1811
- Neeb v. HopeSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1886
- Smith v. EgeSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1866
4 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by9 opinions
- Montgomery v. DennisonSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1949
- Commonwealth v. SwallowSuperior Court of Pennsylvania · 1898
- Commonwealth v. StoreySuperior Court of Pennsylvania · 1912
- Collins v. Morning News Co.Superior Court of Pennsylvania · 1898
- Ingram v. ReedSuperior Court of Pennsylvania · 1897
4 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.