Pryor v. Brignole

Summary

The court held that the defendants could immediately appeal the denial of their special motions to dismiss because they asserted a colorable claim that the action implicated protected speech under the anti-SLAPP statute. The alleged letters to news outlets concerning an attorney’s arrest, prosecution, and professional fitness could constitute communication in a public forum on a matter of public concern, and the defendant’s denial of sending the letters did not defeat colorability at this stage. The judgments dismissing the appeals were reversed and the cases were remanded for further proceedings. D’Auria, J., joined by Ecker, J., dissented, arguing that the denials were not appealable and that the statute should not protect defendants who denied making the alleged statements.