Coleman v. Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.

JOHNSON, Judge.

Joseph E. Coleman, a public official, appeals from the trial court’s denial of his new trial request following a jury defense verdict in a defamation suit. We are asked to determine whether the court abused its discretion by trying the issues of falsity and actual malice separately from — and prior to — the remaining issues. We must also determine whether, as a result of bifurcation, Coleman was precluded from presenting evidence of the publisher’s belief regarding the alleged defamatory nature of certain newspaper articles. We conclude that the court acted well within its…