Watt v. McKelvie

In this appeal arising from a defamation action, we consider whether the author, or original publisher, of slanderous statements is liable to the person defamed when republication of the statements was made by third persons during the course of judicial proceedings.

Appellant Charles V. Watt brought this suit for compensatory and punitive damages against appellee William H. McKelvie, Joseph H. Calicott and Raymond E. Hogan based on the republication of certain oral statements alleged to be defamatory and made initially by McKelvie. McKelvie filed several special pleas and the other defendants…