Denny v. Mertz

William A. Denny (Denny) appeals from summary judgments dismissing his libel claims against McGraw-Hill, Inc. (McGraw-Hill) and Orville R. Mertz (Mertz). Judgment in favor of McGraw-Hill was entered February 27, 1980, and judgment in favor of Mertz was entered March 3, 1980. The trial court determined that Denny “thrust himself to the forefront” of a public controversy and was therefore required to establish that an allegedly libelous statement was made with actual malice. The court concluded that Denny’s failure to establish actual malice entitled McGraw-Hill and Mertz to summary judgment.…