John H. Nichols v. Item Publishers, Inc.

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division's dismissal of the libel complaint, holding that the newspaper article, although false, did not contain defamatory meaning and no special damages were alleged. The Court relied on Mencher and related precedent to conclude the complaint was insufficient as a matter of law. The dissent argued that, given the sensitive position of a clergyman, the issue should be left to a jury.