Beverly v. Powers

I. STATEMENT OF THE CASE

This slander case involves statements made by Myrtle Powers, the director of the Holmes County office of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS). The appellant, Sandra Anderson Beverly, filed suit against Powers, individually, and in her official capacity. Beverly alleged that Powers maliciously and recklessly stated that Beverly had Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The trial court granted a summary judgment in favor of Powers, individually, and in her official capacity. He held that DHS and Powers in her official capacity were protected by…