Jakula v. Starkey

Plaintiffs are husband and wife; so are defendants. The suit is for defamation of character. When the evidence was in, defendants’ motion for a directed verdict was granted. A motion for a new trial was denied, and plaintiffs appeal.

The complaint charges a conspiracy on the part of defendants to defame plaintiffs, and in carrying out the purpose it is alleged that on several different occasions in 1922 defendant Harry Starkey, in the hearing and understanding of one Clifford Swanson, made the false and defamatory statement that plaintiffs were making and selling moonshine at their home, and…