Beckham v. Durant

Shaw, Judge:

Respondent, Catherine L. Beckham, sued appellant, S. J. Durant, alleging libel and slander. Following various motions and hearings, the trial court entered a default judgment against Dr. Durant and awarded $2,500 in damages to Ms. Beckham. Dr. Durant appeals. We affirm.

This appeal encompasses a complicated procedural history. Ms. Beckham, a school teacher, filed a summons and complaint on August 12, 1987, alleging she was libeled and slandered by Dr. Durant, the parent of one of Ms. Beckham’s students. According to the testimony of a process server, the pleadings were served on…