Priestley v. Hastings & Sons Publishing Co. of Lynn

This is an action of tort for libel stemming from the publication of three articles by the defendant in its newspaper, the Daily Evening Item (Item). The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff of $25,000. The defendant has taken exceptions alleging two errors. Both hinge on whether the “actual malice” standard articulated by the United States Supreme Court in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U. S. 254, is applicable to the case. The trial judge ruled that this standard was not applicable and subsequently denied the defendant’s motion for a directed verdict. However, the recent Supreme…