Hahn v. Kotten

This cause is one of first impression before this court.

The trial judge based his decision granting directed verdicts to each of the defendants for the reason that, although some of the statements made by defendants were slanderous per se, the doctrine of qualified privilege applies, and the record failed to demonstrate any evidence of actual malice upon the part of defendants.

I

QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE.

In an action for defamation, the plaintiff’s prima facie case is made out when he has established a publication to a third person for which defendant is responsible, the recipient’s understanding of…