Rowden v. Amick

HOUSER, Commissioner.

This is an action for damages for libel, in which there was a jury verdict for plaintiff for $300 actual and $1,000 punitive damages.

Defendant filed a posttrial motion to set aside the verdict and judgment for plaintiff and to enter judgment in accordance with defendant’s motion for directed verdict at the close of all the evidence, on these grounds:

“1. Plaintiff was a public official and the allegedly libelous statements related solely to the manner in which plaintiff performed his duties as a public official. Accordingly, thé doctrine of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan,…