Retrial on damages ordered due to confusion in state libel law

Article Abstract:

The South Carolina Supreme Court reversed a punitive damages award and ordered a new trial in Holtzscheiter v. Thomson Newspapers. Sandra Holtzscheiter sued The Florence Morning News for printing an alleged defamatory remark in a story about the murder of Holtzcheiter's daughter. The newspaper claimed there was no evidence of actual malice in an article that stated the murdered girl had received no family support to pursue her education. The Supreme Court stated the trial court, which had awarded $500,000 in punitive and $500,000 in actual damages, had not fully litigated the claim.

South Carolina, Exemplary damages, Punitive damages

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Reporter at Waco raid is public figure for libel suit

Article Abstract:

The Texas State Supreme Court dismissed a suit by a television journalist who reported on the 1993 raid on the Branch Davidian complex in Waco, TX. KWTX-TV reporter John McLemore sued WFAA-TV for defamation because WFAA-TV suggested McLemore told Branch Davidians about the impending raid. McLemore argued he was a private figure who needed only to prove negligence. The state Supreme Court ruled McLemore had become a limited-purpose public figure who needed to prove malice.

Texas, Journalists

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