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Clarke v. Fox

71 N.Y. St. Rep. 841 Court N.Y. Gen. Term Decision date 1895-12-02 English

Delivered by PRATT, J.

Contents

Majority

p. 841
Christopher Clarke, Resp’t, v. Richard K. Fox, App’lt.
(Supreme Court, General Term, Second Department,
Filed December 2, 1895.)

Headnote

Slandeb—Repetition .
A charge that the originator of a slander is responsible for its repetition, is erroneous where there is no evidence of such repetition.
Appeal from a judgment entered on a verdict in favor of plaintiff, and from an order denying a motion for a new trial.
Howe & Hummel, for app'lt;
John S. Griffith, for resp’t.

The court charged the jury that the originator of a slander is responsible for the repetitions, and that they must inquire carefully to what extent, if at all, under the proof, the alleged slander had traveled. In this the was

p. 842
erroneous. There was no proof that the slander had been repeated, and the jury were invited to give damages upon this mistaken basis. The exception taken was sufficient.

Judgment reversed, and a new trial ordered, with costs to abide event. All concur.