Taylor v. Hearst

HENSHAW, J. This is a second appeal. The facts are substantially the same as those considered upon the first appeal. They will be found set forth at length in Taylor v. Hearst, 107 Cal. 262.

It will he observed that the question of express malice, which may he evidenced either by a willful intent to injure, or by gross carelessness, was, under tbe facts and tbe law as laid down in tbe former opinion, entirely removed from the ease. This was the view taken by the trial court, and the jury was so instructed.

Plaintiff’s recovery, therefore, was limited to compensatory damages. Certain questions asked of defendant’s witnesses were ruled out under objections. These questions were addressed to the good faith of the publication, and to the negligence pf the publisher. But good faith and reasonable care are pertinent inquiries where the question of punitive damages is involved, not where, the matter being libelous per se and its publication admitted, the recovery is expressly limited to compensatory damages. Por a plaintiff under such facts is entitled to compensatory damages, without regard to the good faith or caution which attended the publication. (Wilson v. Fitch, 41 Cal. 363; Taylor v. Hearst, 107 Cal. 262; Turner v. Hearst, 115 Cal. 394; Mc[368]Allister v. Detroit Free Press Co., 76 Mich. 338; 15 Am. St. Rep. 318; Scripps v. Reilly, 38 Mich. 10; Warner v. Press Pub. Co., 132 N. Y. 181.)

Instruction III, given by the court, is as follows: “Good faith requires of a publisher that he exercise the care and vigilance of a prudent and conscientious man, wielding, as he does, the great power of the public press.' There must be an absence, not only of improper motives, but of negligence on the part of the defendant.”

This instruction would have had pertinency if addressed to a case in which punitive damages were claimed. Upon the facts of this case it had no bearing, for as has been said, the court instructed the jury as matter of law that punitive damages could not be awarded. No injury, therefore, could have been worked appellant.

The award of five hundred dollars for compensatory damages cannot be regarded as excessive. (Wilson v. Fitch, 41 Cal. 363; Gilman v. McClatchey, 111 Cal. 606.)

The judgment and order appealed from are affirmed.

McFarland, J., and Temple, J., concurred.