United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Washington Post Co. v. Chaloner, 250 U.S. 290 (1919)

Washington Post Company v. Chaloner

No. 316

Argued April 22, 23, 1919

Decided June 2, 1919

250 U.S. 290

Syllabus

A news statement that C shot and killed G while G was abusing his wife, who had taken refuge at C's home held not libelous per se. P. 250 U. S. 293.

A publication claimed to be defamatory must be read and construed in the sense in which the readers to whom it is addressed would ordinarily understand it. If it is capable of two meanings, one of which would be libelous and the other not, it is for the jury to say, under all the circumstances surrounding its publication, including extraneous facts admissible in evidence, which of the two meaning would be attributed to it by those to whom it is addressed or by whom it may be read. Id.

Irrelevant and scandalous matter may be stricken from the files of this Court. P. 250 U. S. 294.

47 App.D.C. 66 reversed.

The case is stated in the opinion.

Page 250 U. S. 291