Ayers v. Columbia Newspapers, Inc.

Littlejohn, Justice:

The forty plaintiffs in this action are guards and employees of the Richland County Detention Center. In an article published in The State newspaper on April 24, 1975, reference was made to these individuals, not by name, but as a group, in a manner alleged to be defamatory. They have brought one complaint against the defendant newspaper, alleging that they have been libeled.

The defendant demurred on the ground . . that it appears on the face of the Complaint that several causes of action have been improperly united . . . .” The demurrer was sustained by the Honorable John…