Biggerstaff v. Zimmerman

This is an action for slander. The parties appear here in the same relative position as in the trial court, where a general demurrer to the second amended complaint was sustained. Plaintiff elected to stand on her amended complaint, whereupon judgment of dismissal was en tered. Reversal is sought by writ of error. Defendant assigns cross-error.

The primary problem before us is whether oral charges of unchastity against a woman will support an action for slander without allegations of special damage. The imputations of unchastity are so vulgarly expressed that, in the interest of decency, we…