Arochem International, Inc., Arochem Corporation and William R. Harris v. Harold W. Buirkle

WINTER, Circuit Judge:

Appellants AroChem International, Inc., AroChem Corporation (collectively “Aro-Chem”), and William R. Harris brought the instant matter against Harold Buirkle for defamation and for tortious interference with a contractual and commercial relationship. A jury trial commenced, and, at the close of the plaintiffs’ main case, Judge Stanton directed a verdict in favor of Buir-kle. He held that California law governed and that Buirkle’s allegedly defamatory statements were privileged. 767 F.Supp. 1243. Additionally, Judge Stanton held that Harris and AroChem had failed to…