Miller v. Johnson
Illinois Supreme Court
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Carroll county; the Hon. W. W. Heaton, Judge, presiding. This was an action for slander, brought by William E. Johnson against Benjamin P. Miller, for words spoken by him to the effect that Johnson was a thief, and had stolen corn and oats from him. The plea was, not guilty. The jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff, and assessed his damages at §1000, for which amount the court rendered judgment, and defendant appealed.
1Opinion of the CourtChief Justice Scott
The record contains sufficient evidence of the speaking of the slanderous words charged in the declaration. They were actionable in themselves, and amounted to an accusation plaintiff had been guilty of the crime of larceny. Evidence that the slanderous words were uttered in the presence of members of plaintiff’s family, is proof of publication of the slander. As much protection is due a man’s reputation in the presence of his family as in the presence of strangers. Persons being present, whether kindred or strangers, the words may be said to have been spoken concerning plaintiff, in the…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Flagg v. RobertsIllinois Supreme Court · 1873
3Cited by13 opinions
- Ecuyer v. New York Life InsuranceWashington Supreme Court · 1918
- People v. StrauchIllinois Supreme Court · 1910
- Weidman v. KetchamNew York Court of Appeals · 1938
- Young v. RichardsonAppellate Court of Illinois · 1879
- Fleming v. Kane CountyDistrict Court, N.D. Illinois · 1986
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