Aaron H. Coleman, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Newark Morning Ledger Co., a Corporation of New Jersey, Samuel I…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the jury's verdict for the newspaper defendants, holding that the articles were protected by qualified privilege and fair comment as reports of legislative proceedings, and that any alleged malice was a question for the jury. Justice Weintraub dissented in part, arguing that no privilege applies to secret committee hearings and that the imputation of criminal conduct exceeds the scope of fair comment.