Richardson v. Thorpe

Any written words which directly or indirectly charge a person with a crime, or which tend to injure his reputation in any other way, or to expose him to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule, are defamatory. Such words, if published without lawful excuse or justification, constitute a libel, and the-person in respect to whom .they are written may maintain an action for them without either alleging or proving special damages. Gi les v. Company, 69 N. H. 92; Palmer v. Concord, 48 N. H. 211; Newell S. & L. (2d ed.) 43-45. See, also, 18 Am. &- Eng. Enc. Law (2d ed.) 909, 914-916, where the…