Wirges v. Brewer

This is an action for libel brought by C. C. Brewer, the county clerk of Conway county, against Gene Wirges, the editor and publisher of the Morrilton Democrat, a weekly newspaper. Wirges appeals from a verdict and judgment awarding Brewer compensatory damages of $50,000 and punitive damages of $25,000. (Brewer died while the appeal was pending; the cause has been revived in the name of his personal representative.)

Wirges urges a number of points for reversal, but we find it necessary to consider only his contention that he was entitled to a directed verdict on the ground that the two…