King v. Masson

Shulman, Judge.

After learning that appellant-mayor called appellee (a radio operator employed in the city police department) a "dope addict” and stated appellee was "on drugs,” appellee commenced an action against the City of Mountain View and appellant to recover damages for slander. This appeal is from a judgment entered on a jury verdict against appellant in the amount of $15,000 actual and $20,000 punitive damages. We affirm the judgment.

1. There is a sharp conflict in the evidence as to the events precipitating the alleged slander. The mayor testified that an employee in the police…