Mathis v. Cannon

Fletcher, Chief Justice.

This libel action involves the interplay between the constitutional right of free speech under the First Amendment and an individual’s right to protect his reputation. Bruce Mathis, a Crisp County *17resident, posted three inflammatory messages about Thomas C. (Chris) Cannon on an Internet bulletin board as part of a local controversy concerning the unprofitable operation of a solid waste recovery facility in Crisp County. Three weeks later, without seeking a retraction, Cannon sued Mathis for libel per se and sought general and punitive damages. The trial court denied…