Legal Opinion
Akins v. Altus Newspapers, Inc.
Supreme Court of Oklahoma
Decided May 12, 1980No. 48489PublishedCited by 20 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
LAVENDER, Vice Chief Justice:
Bill Akins (Akins), appellee, brought suit for libel against Altus Newspapers, Inc.;. Bob Gilmore, its publisher; Sandra Hart, its editor; and Craig Harris, its reporter, appellants. The libel is based on a published news item. Trial was to a jury with a verdict returned for Akins that awarded $5,000 general damages and $15,000 exemplary damages. Defendants appeal.
The published news item read:
“ ‘INCIDENT’ INVESTIGATED
“An investigation is beginning today by the District Attorney’s office concerning an incident where an Altus police officer allegedly kidnapped a boy…
2Cases cited7 opinions
- Martin v. Griffin Television, Inc.Supreme Court of Oklahoma · 1976
- Gomba v. McLaughlinSupreme Court of Colorado · 1972
- Fite v. Oklahoma Publishing Co.Supreme Court of Oklahoma · 1930
- M. F. Patterson Dental Supply Company, Inc. And E. O. Blake v. Cullom S. WadleyCourt of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit · 1968
- McKenney v. CarpenterSupreme Court of Oklahoma · 1914
2 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by20 opinions
- McCorkle v. Great Atlantic Insurance Co.Supreme Court of Oklahoma · 1981
- Gaylord Entertainment Co. v. ThompsonSupreme Court of Oklahoma · 1998
- Brock v. ThompsonSupreme Court of Oklahoma · 1997
- Sellers v. Oklahoma Publishing Co.Supreme Court of Oklahoma · 1984
- Conti v. Republic Underwriters Insurance Co.Supreme Court of Oklahoma · 1989
15 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.