John E. Foster, Petitioner v. Laredo Newspapers, Inc., Respondent

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court reversed the summary judgment in favor of Laredo Newspapers, holding that John E. Foster is a public official but the alleged libel does not relate to his official conduct, that he is not a public figure, and that a private individual may recover on a negligence standard. The case is remanded for trial. Justice Pope dissented, maintaining that Foster is a public official and that actual malice applies.