Toler v. Süd-Chemie, Inc.

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

CHIEF JUSTICE MINTON

Süd-Chemie discharged Joseph E. To-ler, a veteran managerial employee, after coworkers reported he made racist comments in the workplace. Toler then sued Süd-Chemie and the coworkers for defamation. After Toler presented his evidence at trial, the trial court directed a verdict for Süd-Chemie and one of the coworkers, citing a qualified privilege to defamation. As for Toler’s claims against the remaining coworkers, the jury ultimately returned a verdict in the coworkers’ favor because either the statements made about Toler were true or they were not…