Dexter v. Handy

This is a petition for the new trial of an action pending in the Court of Common Pleas, in which a verdict was found for the plaintiff. The action is case for slander. The words declared on as slanderous reflect on the plaintiff’s character for chastity, and accuse her of a specific act of fornication. The defence was that the words were true. On the trial the plaintiff called two witnesses who testified to her good character, and also a witness who testified in disproof of the alleged act of fornication. The ground of the petition is that these witnesses, after the trial was over, severally…