Hazel A. Wheeler and Terry Ann Chenoweth, a Minor, by Richard M. Hughey, Her Guardian v. Dell Publishing Co., and Columbia Pictures Corporation

KILEY, Circuit Judge.

This is a diversity suit for damages for libel and invasion of privacy, growing out of the novel and motion picture “Anatomy of a Murder.” The trial court entered summary judgments for defendants, and plaintiffs have appealed.

Hazel Wheeler is the widow, and Terry Ann Chenoweth the daughter, of Maurice Chenoweth, who was shot and killed by a Lieutenant Peterson for the “rape” of Peterson’s wife. Peterson was tried for murder at Marquette, Michigan in 1952. A jury acquitted him upon the defense of insanity.

The novel “Anatomy of a Murder”, by Robert Traver, is the…