Dorman v. Aiken Communications, Inc.

This tort action arises from the publication of a newspaper article which reported an incident involving criminal sexual conduct. The appeal is from denial of a Motion to Dismiss or for Summary Judgment. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for further proceedings.

On November 18, 1987, Respondent Joyce Dorman (Dor-man), a real estate agent, was sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a man to whom she was showing a house. After the attack, the assailant committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

Subsequently, a reporter for the Aiken Standard, a newspaper owned by Appellant Aiken…