Moyle v. Franz

This litigation had its genesis in a letter written by Moyle, the plaintiff, to Butherford, the head of a religious society. It was followed by disciplinary action or expulsion of the plaintiff from the Society. The letter and rejoinders thereto were published and this action for libel eventuated. Plaintiff has recovered heavy compensatory and punitive damages. Defendants appeal from the judgment therefor.

The contentions of the defendants are clothed in legal terminology commingled with a distinctive type of religious vernacular. They do -not stress a principle that should be *427determinative of…