United Press Associations v. Gerard Hartzog

Fourth Circuit

United Press Associations v. Gerard Hartzog

233 F.2d 174, 1956 U.S. App. LEXIS 3140

CourtCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

DecidedApril 23, 1956

Docket7159

StatusPublished

This text of 233 F.2d 174 (United Press Associations v. Gerard Hartzog) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

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United Press Associations v. Gerard Hartzog, 233 F.2d 174, 1956 U.S. App. LEXIS 3140 (4th Cir. 1956).

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Opinion

PER CURIAM.

This is the second appeal in the case which was before us in Hartzog v. United Press, 4 Cir., 202 F.2d 81, where the legal principles applicable to the case were laid down. In the trial had upon the remand there was verdict and judgment for the plaintiff for the sum of $1,000 actual and $4,000 punitive dam *175 ages. The defendant contends that there was no evidence to justify the award of punitive damages, but we think this contention without merit. We think that prejudicial error was committed, however, in admitting evidence that one Watson, who was employed by defendant to investigate the case but who had nothing whatever to do with the publication complained of, stated in the course of a conversation some weeks later “we will have Hartzog broke and in jail before the Republican National Convention”. On no possible theory could this statement have been admissible to prove malice on the part of defendant in the publication complained of, or for any other purpose; and it was manifestly prejudicial to defendant’s cause. The judgment appealed from must accordingly be reversed and the case remanded for a new trial.

Reversed.

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PER CURIAM.

This is the second appeal in the case which was before us in Hartzog v. United Press, 4 Cir., 202 F.2d 81, where the legal principles applicable to the case were laid down. In the trial had upon the remand there was verdict and judgment for the plaintiff for the sum of $1,000 actual and $4,000 punitive dam *175 ages. The defendant contends that there was no evidence to justify the award of punitive damages, but we think this contention without merit. We think that prejudicial error was committed, however, in admitting evidence that one Watson, who was employed by defendant to investigate the case but who had nothing whatever to do with the publication complained of, stated in the course of a conversation some weeks later “we will have Hartzog broke and in jail before the Republican National Convention”. On no possible theory could this statement have been admissible to prove malice on the part of defendant in the publication complained of, or for any other purpose; and it was manifestly prejudicial to defendant’s cause. The judgment appealed from must accordingly be reversed and the case remanded for a new trial.

Reversed.

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Bluebook (online)

233 F.2d 174, 1956 U.S. App. LEXIS 3140, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-press-associations-v-gerard-hartzog-ca4-1956.

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