Otten v. Schutt

The action is for recovery of damages, both compensatory and punitive, occasioned by the slanderous statements of Lester Schutt.

The issues are whether under the evidence and facts in the instant action the statements made by Lester Schutt to the chief of police constitute a conditionally privileged communication and whether such statements were maliciously made.

A privileged communication or statement, in the law of libel and slander, is one which, except for the occasion on which or the circumstances under which it is made, would be defamatory and actionable. 33 Am. Jur., Libel and Slander,…