Lonsdale v. Swart

Plaintiff Harry Lonsdale sued defendants the Wallowa County Chieftain, Inc. (the Chieftain), a local newspaper, and Rick Swart, its editor, for defamation. The trial court dismissed Swart from the action on the ground that he had not properly been served with summons and complaint. It then entered summary judgment for the Chieftain on the merits of the defamation claim. Plaintiff appeals, arguing that the trial court erred both in dismissing Swart and in granting summary judgment for the Chieftain. We affirm as to both rulings.

The following facts are uncontested. In August 1991, plaintiff…