On Tuesday, the Third Court of Appeals issued an opinion dismissing a number of defamation claims brought by Williamson County’s District Attorney against the Smithville Times. The case involved a series of editorials about a Williamson County murder prosecution that ran in the Times in late 2001 and early 2002. The detailed opinion sets forth the burden a public official must meet to prevail on a defamation case.
Texas Appellate Law Blog discusses the case here.
Cox Texas Newspapers, L.P. et al. v. Charles Penick, ___ S.W.3d ___ (Tex. App. – Austin 2007) (Cause No. 03-05-00504-CV)
