Dallas County v. Harper

This is a libel and slander case. We are presented with two issues: (1) whether an indictment is tangible personal property under the Texas Tort Claims Act; and (2) whether the statute of limitations is tolled on a defamation claim until the aggrieved discovers the source of the defamatory material. We answer the first question in the negative. Consequently, we need not reach the second. We reverse the judgment of the court of appeals and render judgment for Dallas County.

In 1992, Dewell Ray Harper, the incumbent, lost the Democratic primary election for the office of Sheriff of Bosque County…